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THE  LIBRARY 

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THE  UNIVERSITY 

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A 


APPENDIX 


DOCUMENTS    ANNEXED 


MEMOIR 


FILED   BY  THE   MINISTEK    OF   PAKAGUAY,    ON 

THE  QUESTION  SUBMITTED  TO 

ARBITRATION. 


^f»^ 


|l£hj  |orIi: 
Evening  Post  Stkam  Presses,  208  Broadway,  corner  of  Fulton  Street. 

1878. 


APPENDIX. 


947427 


APPENDIX. 


officiaij  documents  kelative  to  the  question 

ABOUT  limits,  PENDING  BETWEEN  THE  EEPUBLIC 
OF  PABAGUAY  AND  THE   AEGENTINE   REPUBLIC. 

1873. 


Asuncion,  September  3d,  1873. 

Mr.  Minister, — The  undersigned  has  the  honor  to  acknowl- 
edge the  receipt  of  the  note  of  His  Excellency  General  Mitre, 
Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the 
Argentine  Kepublic,  dated  on  the  31st  of  August,  ultimo,  in 
which  he  announces  that  with  the  authorization  of  his  Gov- 
ernment he  will  go  back  to  Buenos  Ayres,  and  report  there 
personally  about  the  progress  made  by  the  negotiations  now 
pending  between  the  two  Governments ;  and  says  that  in  the 
meantime  the  said  negotiations  are  suspended  amicably,  and  left 
at  the  point  stated  by  a  "  Memorandum,"  which  he  appended 
to  his  note. 

The  Paraguayan  Government,  Mr.  Minister,  will  answer  at 
the  proper  time  to  the  extensive  "Memorandum"  just  men- 
tioned ;  and  when  so  doing,  it  will  avail  of  the  opportunity  then 
presented  itself  to  rectify  both  the  historical  facts  of  that  docu- 
ment, and  the  appreciation  therein  made  of  the  liicts  and  docu- 
ments to  which  it  refers.  But  in  anticipation  to  that  reply,  the 
following  statements  are  submitted  at  once  : 

1st.  That  the  Paraguayan  Government,  true  to  its  engage- 
ments, never  had  any  objection  to  adjust  a  treaty  of  limits  with 
the  Argentine  Kepublic,  upon  the  basis  of  the  16th  article  of  the 


Treaty  of  the  Triple  Alliance ;  and  scarcely  ayailed  itself  of  the 
right  reserved  to  it  by  the  Protocol  of  June  20th,  to  suggest 
whatever  modifications  of  that  treaty  it  might  consider  to  be 
best  for  the  interests  of  the  Republic,  because  it  trusted  upon  the 
solemn  declaration  mad^  by  the  Argentine  Government,  in  the 
note  of  December  27th,  1869,  '^  that  victory  did  not  give  any  of 
"  the  allied  nations  the  right  to  decide  that  the  limits  spoken  of 
"  in  the  treaty  of  alliance  are  the  ones  to  be  finally  accepted." 

2nd.  That  the  Paraguayan  Groverament,  in  its  earnest  desire 
to  conclude  at  an  early  period  such  a  treaty  of  limits,  consented 
to  the  proposition  of  the  Argentine  Plenipotentiary,  that  the 
negotiations  would  be  conducted,  not  under  judicial  forms,  but 
in  a  purely  amicable  way,  and  without  producing  titles  or  enter- 
ing into  their  examination.  Were  it  not  for  that  arrangement 
previously  made,  Paraguay  would  have  put  in  evidence  a  great 
many  documents,  which  were  within  her  reach,  and  fully  show 
her  right  to  the  territory  now  in  dispute. 

3rd.  That  Paraguay,  acknowledging  herself  to  have  been  de- 
feated, and  not  to  have  a  sufficient  force  to  resist  the  Argentine 
Republic,  has  been  ready  to  abandon  the  territory  of  Misiones 
and  also  the  Atajo  or  Cerrito  Island,  although  it  was  not  men- 
tioned in  the  Treaty  of  Alliance,  together  with  a  portion  of 
El  Chaco,  between  the  Bemejo  and  the  Pilcomayo  rivers.  In 
regard  to  the  latter  territory,  the  Paraguayan  Government 
always  thought,  however,  that  no  action  could  be  taken  without 
giving  Bolivia  the  proper  intervention,  siuce  her  rights  were 
saved  by  the  allied  themselves. 

4th.  That  notwithstanding  this  readiness  of  Paraguay,  no 
treaty  of  limits  has  at  last  been  concluded,  because  of  the  ex- 
igencies of  the  Argentine  Republic,  whose  Government  has  in- 
sisted upon  retaining  the  City  named  "  Villa  Occidental," 
loliich  is  tantamount  to  the  ruin  of  Paraijuaij,  and  not  submit- 
ting to  arbitration  the  whole  territory  in  dispute,  but  the  portion 
of  it  extending  from  the  Pilcomayo  river  to  Bahin  Negra. 

But,  as  the  Republic  of  Paraguay  cannot  cede  more  territory 
tlian  the  one  she  lias  already  ceded,  nor  is  she  able  to 
decree  her  oiun  ruiii,  voluntarily,  andiy  means  of  a  treaty,  the 
Vice-President,  now  acting  as  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation, 


upon  the  receipt  of  the  declaration  of  His  Excellenc}^  General 
Mitre,  that  the  negotiations  are  suspended,  temporarily  and 
friendly,  to  give  him  time  to  consult  personally  with  his  Govern- 
meet,  has  directed  me  to  inform  His  Excellency  that  Paraguay 
will  wait  for  the  Argentine  Eepublic  until  the  30th  of  Novem- 
ber, on  which  date  the  negotiations,  friendly  suspended  at 
present,  may  be  continued  ;  but  that  if  at  that  time  the  nego- 
tiations are  not  resumed,  then  the  concessions  to  which  Para- 
guay submitted,  not  because  she  recognizes  any  rigid  of  the  Ar- 
gentine  Eepublic  to  the  territory,  in  question,  but  merely  be- 
cause she  was  vancjuished,  and  has  to  yield  to  the  force  of 
circumstances,  besides  her  being  animated  by  an  earnest  desire  to 
live  in  peace  aad  good  harmony  uith  a  neighboring  republic, 
shall  be  deemed  null  and  void  and  of  no  effect  at  all. 

The  undersigned  avails  of  this  opportunity  to  acknowledge 
his  gratitude  to  His  Excellency  General  Mitre  for  the  consider- 
ation he  has  bestowed  upon  him,  and  tenders  His  Excellency  the 
testimony  of  his  most  distinguished  and  perfect  esteem. 

JOSE  DEL  ROSAEIO  MIRANDA 
To  His  Excellency 

Brigadier  General  Dox  Baktoloime  Mitre, 

Extraordinary  Envoy  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary 
of  the  Argentine  Republic. 


Depabtment  of  Foreign  Relations  of  the 
Argentine   Republic. 

Buenos  Ayres,  October  16th,  1873. 
Mb.  Minister, — The  note  of  Your  Excellency  of  the  2d  of 
September,  ultimo,  was  placed .  by  the  Argentine  negotiator  in 
the  hands  of  the  President  of  this  Republic.  The  note  relates 
to  a  contra-memorandum  to  be  presented  at  some  future  day, 
and  Sets  forth  that  the  Government  of  Paraguay  will  wait  until 
the  30th  of  November  to  continue  the  negotiations  now  friendly 
suspended,  and  that  after  said  date  it  will  consider  the  said 
negotiations  to  be  ended,  and  deem  the  concessions,  to  which 
vanquished  Paraguay  submitted,  to  be  void  and  of  no  effect. 


8 

As  the  contra-memorandum  alluded  to  has  not  yet  been  re- 
ceived, uor  there  is  any  certainty  that  it  will  be  here  in  due 
time,  the  President,  deeming  it  to  be  his  duty  carefully  to  study 
this  matter,  and  pay  to  it  the  earnest  consideration  required  by 
its  importance,  has  listened  to  the  verbal  explanations  of  the 
Argentine  negotiator,  and  the  friendly  suggestions  of  Baron  de 
Araguaya,  tlie  Brazilian  Plenipotentiary,  and  decided,  upon 
them,  to  give  notice  to  your  Government,  through  the  channel 
of  your  Excellency,  that  the  Argentine  government  does  not 
feel  disposed  to  make  any  change  in  its  former  propositions. 
This  has  been  communicated  also,  under  this  date,  to  the  Im- 
perial Government,  so  as  to  proceed  to  the  final  evacuation  of 
Paraguay,  as  provided  by  the  2d  section  of  the  7th  article  of  the 
agreement  of  November  19th. 

The  Argentine  Government  had  believed,  Mr.  Minister,  that, 
by  either  of  the  two  propositions  made  by  it,  it  had  given  an 
unequivocal  proof  of  moderation,  and  that  the  plan  of  arbitra- 
tion was  specially  calculated  to  conciliate  both  the  riglits  and 
the  honor  of  the  two  parties.  But  as  they  have  been  rejected 
by  your  Government  the  only  thing  left  to  the  Argentine  one  is 
to  comply  with  the  duty  of  respecting,  and  causing  others  to 
respect,  the  existing  facts.  It  is  not  unaware  of  the  difficulties 
attending  such  situation,  but  it  hopes  to  overcome  them  by  its 
prudence  and  patriotism. 

With  the  assurances  of  my  particular  distinction,  I  am. 
Your  Excellency's  obedient  servant. 

C.  TEJEDOR. 
To  His  Excellency  the  Secretary  of  Foreign  Relations 
Of  tlie  Rei^ublic  of  Paraguay. 


Department  of  Foreign  Affairs. 

Asuncion,  October  30th,  1873. 
Ii<|)ly  as  decided,  and  forward  the  contra-memorandum. 
JOVELLANOS, 
JOSE  DEL  llOSARIO  MIRANDA, 


9 

Depabtmekt  of  PoREiGivr  Relations. 
Asuncion,  JSToYember  7th,  1873. 

Mk.  Minister, — The  undersigned,  Secretary  of  Foreign 
Relations,  has  received,  on  the  27th  of  October,  ultimo,  the  note 
addressed  to  him  by  your  Excellency  under  date  of  the  16th  of 
that  month,  informing  him  that  the  Argentine  negotiator  had 
placed  in  the  hands  of  his  Excellency,  the  President  of  the 
Republic,  the  note  of  the  undersigned  dated  on  the  2d  of  Sep- 
tember, oifering  a  contra-memorandum,  and  setting  forth  that 
the  Government  of  this  republic  would  wait  for  an  answer  until 
the  30th  of  November,  either  to  continue  then  the  negotiations 
now  friendly  suspended,  or  to  consider  the  concessions  to  which 
vanquished  Paraguay  submitted  to  be  thoroughly  null  and  void; 
and,  further,  that  as  the  contra-memorandum  had  not  yet  been 
received,  and  there  was  no  certainty  to  receive  it  in  time,  the 
President  had  deemed  it  to  be  his  duty  to  study  this  matter,  and 
listen  to  the  explanations  of  the  Argentine  negotiator  and  the 
Brazilian  plenipotentiary.  Baron  de  Araguaya,  upon  which  he 
has  decided  to  inform,  through  the  undersigned  Secretary,  the 
Government  of  this  republic  that  he  does  not  feel  disposed  to 
make  any  change  in  his  former  propositions. 

This  having  been  jilaced  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Government, 
the  undersigned  has  been  instructed  to  address  to  Your  Excel- 
lency the  present  note,  and  inform,  through  you,  the  Argentine 
Government  that  the  Government  of  Paraguay  is  exceedingly 
sorry  that  the  adjustment  of  the  treaties  is  obstructed  because 
of  the  different  views  of  both  Governments  on  the  propositions 
made  to  settle  the  question  of  limits. 

The  contra-memorandum,  which  this  Government  offered  to 
forward,  has  now  been  sent  to  the  Consul  of  Paraguay  in  your 
city,  who  has  been  instructed  to  put  it  in  the  hands  of  Your 
Excellency. 

On  this  occasion  I  avail  of  the  opportunity  to  renew  to  you, 
Mr.  Minister,  the  assurances  of  my  highest  consideration  and 
perfect  esteem. 

JOSE  DEL  ROSARIO  MIRANDA. 
To  His  Excellency,  Don  Carlos  Tejeuok,  Secretary  of  Foreign 
Relations  of  the  Argentine  Republic. 
2 


10 

CONTRA  MEMORANDUM 

On  the  question  of  Limits  between  the  Republic  of  Paraguay 
and  the  Argentine  Re})ub]ic. 

Preliminaet  Facts. 

A  fact  to  be  borne  in  mind,  before  all  others,  is  that  the 
Treaty  of  Alliance  of  May  1st,  1865,  as  set  forth  in  its  seventh 
article,  provided  for  a  war,  not  against  the  Paraguayan  people, 
but  against  its  Grovernment,  at  that  time,  or  in  other  words, 
against  Marshal  Lopez. 

As  a  logical  conclusion  from  the  provisions  of  said  seventh 
article,  the  allies  made  tbe  engagement  of  the  eighth  and  ninth 
articles,  by  which  they  bound  themselves  to  respect  and  guar- 
antee collectively,  the  independence,  sovereignty  and  territorial 
integrity  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay.  And  when  the  stipula- 
tions of  the  tenth  article  were  made,  it  was  i)rovided  upon  them 
that  at  the  overthrow  of  the  Government  of  Marshal  Lopez,  the 
one  then  ruling  the  Republic,  the  allies  would  enter  into  ar- 
rangements with  the  newly  constituted  authority. 

To  avoid  new  wars,  possibly  arising  out  of  a  misunderstand- 
ing about  limits,  the  sixteenth  article  made  it  incumbent 
upon  the  allies  to  demand  the  Paraguayan  Government  to  enter 
into  the  negotiations  of  treaties  of  that  kind,  iinder  the  bases 
established  by  the  same  sixteenth  article. 

Some  years  afterwards,  in  1869,  when  Marshal  Lopez  only  re- 
tained his  power  over  a  portion  of  the  Republic,  several  citizens 
of  Paraguay  who  had  rebelled  against  his  tyrannical  rule,  met  at 
La  Asuncion,  and  drew  up  there  an  act,  by  which  they  asked 
the  allies  to  establish  for  the  Republic  a  Provisory  Government. 

On  the  2d  of  June,  1869,  the  allies  agreed  to  the  petition  of 
the  Paraguayan  Commission,  and  by  means  of  a  collective  note 
addressed  to  the  Paraguayan  Commissioners,  they  solemnlyjprom- 
mised  to  establish  the  Provisory  Government  which  they  had 
been  asked  for. 

On  the  15th  of  August,  the  Provisory  Government  was  estab- 
lished, the  members  thereof  being  elected  by  trie  people.  And 
that  Government,  both  by  a  note  and  by  the  decree  of  August 
16th,  ratified  the  bases  of  the  protocol  of  June  3d. 


11 

Then  came  the  death  of  Marshal  Lopez,  and  the  war  was 
ended.  As  it  had  not  been  waged  against  the  Paraguayan 
Government,  or  people,  it  was  but  natural  to  expect  some  modi- 
fication to  be  made  to  tlie  treaty  of  the  triple  alliance.  Otherwise 
the  declaration  made  by  three  civilized  Governments,  that  they 
had  no  other  purpose  in  taking  np  arms,  than  to  overthrow  a 
tyrannical  Government,  wonld  prove  to  be  untrue. 

On  the  20th  of  June,  1870,  Lhe  preliminary  treaty  of  peace 
was  signed  between  the  Provisory  Government  of  the  Eepublic 
and  the  allies.  A  provision  of  its  second  article  reads  as  follows: 
"  The  Provisory  Government  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay  rati- 
fies once  more  the  declarations  made  in  the  protocol  of  June  2d, 
of  the  last  year,  and  consequently  it  accepts  the  treaty  of  the  trij^le 
alliance,  concluded  at  Buenos  Ayres,  on  the  1st  of  May,  1865,  as 
to  its  substance,  but  reserves  for  the  permanent  Government,  to 
which  all  final  arrangements  correspond,  to  suggest  such  modi- 
fications of  that  treaty  as  may  be  deemed  advisable  in  the  inter- 
est of  the  Republic.'' 

By  virtue  of  the  agreement  of  the  2d  Article,  the  right  of 
Paraguay  was  reserved,  not  only  to  be  heard  before  making 
any  of  the  said  modifications,  but  also  to  suggest  the  ones 
thought  by  her  to  be  proper.  And  as  the  protocols  witness 
that  the  modifications  to  Avhich  this  reservation  referred  were 
relative  to. the  territory  of  El  Chaco,  it  may  be  said  safely  that 
the  allies  gave  up  the  16th  article  of  the  treaty,  or,  in  other 
words,  that  they  were  no  longer  able  to  demand  from  Paraguay 
the  acceptance  of  the  limits  set  forth  in  said  article.  On  such  a 
condition,  and  no  other,  the  Provisory  Government  accepted, 
as  it  has  been  said,  the  substance  of  the  treaty  of  May  1st, 
1869. 

Although  the  Provisory  Government  contented  itself  with  se- 
curing tiiis  saving  the  rights  of  Paraguay,  as  far  as  the  territory 
of  El  Chaco  was  concerned,  and  that  this  was  owing  to  the  fact 
that  the  City  of  Villa  Occidental  had  been  occupied  by  Argen- 
tine forces,  the  Plenipotentiary  of  the  Argentine  Republic  ex- 
tended and  amplified  the  right  of  Paraguay,  by  declaring  '•'  that 
the  Argentine  Government  did  not  want  to  use  the  rights  of  a 
conqueror  to  decide  the  question  of  limits,  but  wafe  willing  to 


12 

adjust  it  by  an  amiable  settlement,  upon  examination  of  the 
titles  of  either  party." 

This  solemn  declaration  was  accepted  by  the  other  Ministers 
of  the  Alliance,  and  so,  when  the  preliminary  treaty  of  June 
20th  was  signed  in  the  terms  above  mentioned,  the  Alliance 
could  no  longer  consider  anything  relative  to  limits  to  be  out 
of  question. 

In  October,  1871,  a  simultaneous  negotiation  was  initiated  be- 
tween the  representatives  of  the  allies  and  the  constituted  Gov- 
erment  of  the  Kepublic. 

Before  commencing  negotiations  with  the  Paraguayan  Gov- 
ernment, the  Argentine  Plenipotentiary  went  away,  without 
having  asked  the  suspension  of  the  treaty  or  expressing  the 
causes  of  his  withdrawal. 

From  the  notes  subsequently  exchanged  between  the  Argen- 
tine Eepublic  and  the  Empire  of  Brazil,  it  is  to  be  inferred  that 
the  Argentine  Plenipotentiary  unduly  attempted  to  act  in  uni- 
son wi  h  the  other  representatives  of  the  Alliance,  so  as  to  com- 
pel Paraguay  to  submit  to  the  provisions  of  the  IGth  article  of 
the  treaty  of  May  1st,  18G9,  and  that,  as  it  Avas  natural,  the 
Plenipotentiaries,  both  of  Brazil  and  of  the  Oriental  Eej)ublic, 
refused  their  consent  to  that  scheme,  which  tended  to  force  up- 
on Paraguay  what  the  Alliance  itself  had  given  up  in  a  solemn 
manner. 

Some  time  after  the  Argentine  Plenipotentiary  had  left  for 
Buenos  Ayres,  the  Minister  from  Brazil  concluded  with  the 
Eepublic  of  Paraguay  the  final  treaties  of  peace  with  that  em- 
pire; and  in  the  course  of  the  negotiations  there  never  was  the 
least  idea  to  consider  anything  which  referred  to  limits  to  be 
out  of  question*  So  it  was  that,  after  a  few  confidential  coufer- 
ences,  everything  was  settled  amicably,  Avithout  Paraguay 
having  been  refused  a  hearing  in  anything  relative  to  limits  or 
to  other  points. 

Tlie  Government  of  the  Eepublic,  animated  by  the  best  wishes, 
decided,  in  August,  1872,  to  accredit  a  special  mission  near  the 
Argentine  Government  in  order  to  adjust  finally  the  treaties  of 
peace. 


13 

This  mission  was  not  successful,  because  the  Argentine  Gov- 
ernment refused  even  to  hear"  the  person  to  whom  it  was  en- 
trusted. The  reason  was,  according  to  the  Eeport  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  Foreign  Affairs,  in  1873,  because  the  instructions  of  the 
Paraguayan  Plenipotentiary  were  deemed  to  be  exorbitant. 

Such  an  excuse  is  strange  enough  in  a  diplomatic  negotiation 
where  all  pretensions,  no  matter  how  exorbitant  they  may  ap- 
pear to  one  of  the  high  contracting  parties,  can  be  entertained 
and  disposed  of  and  finally  reduced  to  its  proper  limits  by  means 
of  the  discussion. 

Subsequently,  the  Argentine  Clovernment  accredited  near 
Paraguay  a  new  special  mission  to  adjust  the  final  treaties  of 
peace;  and  that  mission  was  entrusted  to  His  Excellency  Gen- 
eral Don  Bartoleme  Mitre,  who,  in  presenting  himself  in  such  a 
character  before  the  Government  of  the  Eepublic,  gave  expres- 
sion to  some  feelings  of  fraternity  and  to  the  desire,  on  his  part, 
to  fultil  the  engagements  made  with  the  Allies  and  with  Para- 
guay, regularizing  the  situation  and  establishing  peace  on  a  firm 
basis  both  for  the  present  and  for  the  future. 

The  Paraguayan  Government  answered  him  that  its  desires 
were  identical,  and  that  it  was  willing  to  do  its  Ijest  for  the  final 
adjustments  of  the  treaties. 

The  Government  of  Brazil  accredited  also  another  special 
mission,  which  was  entrusted  to  his  Excellency  Baron  de  Ara- 
guaya, to  co-operate  with  the  said  treaty,  as  provided  by  the 
agreement  of  the  19th  of  Xovcmber,  made  at  Rio  Janeiro,  be- 
tween Brazil  and  the  Argentine  Republic. 

The  illustrious  Brazilian  diplomatist  fulfilled  his  mission  in 
the  most  satisfactory  maner. 

Note. — Here  the  negotiator  on  the  pan  of  Paraguay  enters 
into  an  account  of  all  the  incidents  attending  the  negotiations 
between  the  two  Republics,  until  the  moment  of  their  amicable 
suspension  by  the  Argentine  Plenipotentiary,  who  went  away 
at  that  time,  personally  to  inform  his  Government  about  their 
progress,  and  left  a  "  memorandum  "  drawn  by  him,  in  which 
he  urges  the  right  Tvhich,  according  to  his  opinion,  the  Argen- 
tine Republic  has  to  the  disputed  territories.  The  Paraguayan 
Plenipotentiary  then  goes  on,  and  enters  into  the  examination 


14 

of  the  titles  upon  which  the  claim  of  Paraguay  to   the  territo- 
ries in  question  is  perfectly  supported. 

QUESTIOif   OF   THE   ^MlSSIOXS    TeRRITOEY. 

The  question  relative  to  the  Missions  Territory,  between 
Paraguay  and  the  Argentine  Eepublic,  is  easy  to  decide,  since 
the  right  of  Paraguay  is  no  doubt  the  best. 

The  only  ground  upon  which  the  Argentine  Republic  might 
found  a  claim  to  the  Missions  Territory,  is  the  treaty  of  the 
Triple  Alliance  of  May  1st,  1869  ;  but  that  ground  disappeared 
on  the  20th  of  June,  1870,  when  ilie  preliminaries  of  peace  be- 
tween the  Government  of  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay  and  the 
allied  powers  were  signed  at  La  Asuncion;  consequently,  all  ar- 
guments of  the  Argentine  Eepublic,  upon  questions  of  limits 
which  are  founded  on  the  said  treaty  of  alliance,  are  inefficient 
and  valueless,  much  the  more  so,  if  due  attention  is  paid  to  the 
solemn  declaration  made  by  the  Argentine  Government  to  the 
Government  of  Paraguay,  that  '"Victory  did  not  give  the  allies 
any  right  to  settle  those  limits." 

In  confirmation  of  this,  we  will  proceed  to  show  the  unques- 
tionable right  of  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay  to  the  territory 
claimed  by  the  Argentine  Eepublic. 

The  Parana  dodrinas  {^)  were  founded  in,  or  about,  the  years 
1624  and  1628 ;  and  when,  subsequently,  they  were  given  the 
character  of  towns,  ov  2JueUos',  different  royal  ordinances  dated 
in  1650  and  1651,  and,  above  all,  the  one  of  June  loth,  1654, 
enacted  some  provisions  as  to  the  manner  of  appointment  of  the 
curates,  or  pastors,  who  had  to  be  at  their  heads.  The  appoint- 
ing power  was  given  to  the  Governor  of  Paraguay,  in  his  capa- 
city of  vice-royal  patron  of  the  church ;  but  his  liberty  of  action 
extended  to  no  other  thing  than  choosing  out  of  three  names  pro- 
posed to  him,  the  one  which  he  might  think  to  be  best.  By  a 
posterior  ordinance  of  November  10th,  1659,  cited  by  an- 
other of  December  24th,  1746,  the  King  of  Spain  stated,  that 
"  tliere  were  thirteen  puehlos  whicli  had  always  belonged  to  the 

(')  Doctrinax  are  called  the  villages  of  Indians  converted  to  Christian 
faitli,  nhere  no  regular  )iarish  lias  yet  been  established. 

{Salvd.  Diccionanio  de  la  lenaun  mdellana.) 


15 

"jurisdiction  of  Paraguay;"  and  this  statement  was  confirmed 
in  another  ordinance  of  December  28th.  1743,  where  the  names 
of  those  thirteen  missions  were  given. 

'Eight pueblos,  out  of  these  thirteen,  stood  on  the  right  bank 
of  the  Parana  river,  and  were  named  "Santa  Maria  de  Fe," 
"  San  Ignacio  Guazvi;"'  "  Santa  Eosa,"  "  Santiago,"  "  San 
Cosme  y  Damian,"  -  Itapua,"  "Trinidad,"  and  "Jesus." 
The  other  five  inieblos  named  "  Caudelaria,"  "  Santa  Ana," 
"  Loreto,"  San  Ignacio  Mini,"  and  "  Corpus,"  were  situate  on 
the  left  side  of  the  river.  These  thirteen  jjueblos  belonged  to 
the  old  Department  of  Caudelaria,  and  the  authorities  of  that 
department  used,  from  the  time  of  the  very  first  discoveries, 
to  give  the  citizens  of  Paraguay  some  encomiendas  (^)  upon  the 
said  left  bank  of  the  Parana  river. 

The  Government  of  the  Province  of  Paraguay  never  ceased 
to  have  authority  over  these  thirteen  towns  ol  the  Department 
of  Caudelaria,  in  the  same  way  as  the  Government  of  Buenos 
Ayres  kept  always  also  under  its  jurisdiction  those  other  seven- 
teen Indian  pueblos  of  the  Jesuit  Missions  of  Uruguay.  The 
Bishops  of  the  two  dioceses  confined  their  visits  to  the  pueblos 
of  their  respective  circumscriptions. 

This  being,  at  that  time,  the  condition  of  things  at  the 
Misiones  territory,  the  King  of  Spain,  by  his  royal  dispatch 
dated  at  San  Lorenzo,  November  6th,  172G,  ordered  the  towns 
within  the  territorial  jttrisdiction  of  Paraguay  t5  be  annexed  to 
Buenos  Ayres.  These  are  the  exact  words  of  the  ordinance : 
"Therefore  I  command  the  Viceroy  of  Peru  and  the  Audiences 
of  Charcas  to  give,  as  soon  as  this  royal  dispatch  be  presented 
to  them,  the  most  stringent  orders  to  carry  out  the  separation 
hereby  ordered  of  the  thirty  Indian  pueblos  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus  within  the  province  of  Paraguay,  and  j^lace  them  under 
the  rule  of  the  Governor  of  Buenos  Ayres." 

This  was  the  only  instance  ever  presented  that  the  Govern- 
ernment  of  Paraguay  was  deprived  of  its  jurisdiction   over  the 

(1)  Encomienda  is  the  right  or  authority  fjranted  by  the  King-  of  Spain,  to 
certain  individuals  or  corporations,  OA'cr  a  certain  nund^er  of  Indians,  entrusted 
to  their  care  to  be  taught  the  Christian  religion,  and  the  habits  of  civilization. 
{Salvd — Diccionario  clc  ht  hngue  castellan  a.) 


16 

tliirteeii  pueblos  of  the  Misiones  territory.  Then,  and  as  long 
as  the  order  of  the  King  of  Spain  remained  in  force,  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Paraguay  had  nothing  to  do,  nor  did  he  do  anything, 
with  the  administration  of  the  Government  of  the  siiid  pueblos. 
But  in  1763,  Governor  Don  Jose  Martinez  Fontes  made  an  ap- 
plication for  the  retrocession  to  the  Government  of  Paraguay 
of  the  tliirteen  pueblos  belonging  to  its  territorial  jurisdiction, 
which  had  been  annexed  to  the  Government  of  Buenos  Ayres, 
an  effort  which  was  subsecjuently  seconded  by  his  successor, 
Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  and  the  result  was  shown  by  the 
communication  addressed  by  the  Marquis  of  Loreto,  Viceroy  of 
Buenos  Ayi-es  to  the  Govei'nor  of  Paraguay,  on  the  14tli  of  July, 
1784,  from  which  we  quote  the  following : 

"  Now,  in  compliance  with  it  (the  royal  order)  and  with  my 
decree  of  to-day,  I  have  addressed,  under  this  date,  an  official 
communication  to  the  Intendant-General  and  Governor  of  this 
province,  informing  him  that  the  sereuteen  ptieblos  correspond- 
ing to  his  district  have  been  placed  again  under  his  care.  I 
give  you  a  similar  information  as  to  the  thirteen  pueblos  which 
will  be  in  your  territory.  But  not  for  this,  it  is  to  be  under- 
stood, that  I  will  not  be  ready,  at  all  times,  to  render  the  neces- 
sary assistance,  either  by  material  aid  or  by  the  issuing  of  any 
superior  order  Avlien  required.  Proper  information  of  all  of 
this  has  been  transmitted  also  to  the  pueblos  themselYes,  as  well 
as  to  the  protector  of  the  natives,  and  the  Manager  {Adminis- 
trador),  of  their  property." 

We  see,  therefore,  that  since  1784  the  thirteen  pueblos  of  the 
Misiones  territory  were  placed  again  under  the  dominion  and 
autliority  of  Paraguay. 

On  the  17th  of  May,  1803,  another  royal  ordinance  issued  at 
Aranjuezby  the  Spanish  monarch,  caused  the  seventeen  pueblos 
of  the  Uruguay  Missions,  corresponding  to  Buenos  Ayres,  to  be 
taken  out  of  the  territorial  jurisdiction  of  that  province ;  and 
the  same  thing  was  done  with  Paraguay,  which  was  deprived 
then  of  the  thirteen  pueblos  which,  since  the  time  of  their 
foundation,  had  been  under  her  dominion  and  authority.  The 
King  made  a  new  separate  province  with  the  i\\\viy  2^ueblos  all 
together,  and  gave  it  the   name  of  "Misiones   Province,"  or 


17 

"  Provincia  cle  Misiones'"  Its  first  Governor  was  Don  Bernardo 
de  Velazco,  and  he  was  given  the  power  to  act  with  entire  inde- 
pendence from  both  the  Governors  of  Buenos  Ayres  and  Para- 
guay. The  language  of  the  royal  ordinance  is  as  follows:  "In 
order  to  accomplish  this  purpose,  I  have  been  pleased  to  entrust 
the  administration  of  the  new  Government,  both  political  and 
^pilitary,  which  I  deemed  advisable  to  create  this  year,  to  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Don  Bernardo  de  Velazeo;  and  he,  therefore, 
shall  have  command  over  the  thirty  jjueNos  of  the  Gnarnnies 
and  Tapes  Missions  and  exercise  his  authority  over  them  with 
absolute  independence  from  the  Governments  of  Paraguay  and 
Buenos  Ayres,  between  which  they  are  at  present  distributed; 
since  the  creation  of  a  different  special  Government  at  that  place 
is  a  matter  of  great  importance     *     *     *     */' 

Colonel  Velazco  was  inaugurated  Governor  shortly  afterwards 
in  the  same  year,  and  then  the  loss  by  Paraguay  of  that  portion 
of  her  territory  occupied  by  the  thirteen  pueblos  aforesaid,  and 
.extending  as  far  as  the  Tebicuary  river,  which  was  the  limit  of 
the  Paraguayan  Missions,  seemed  to  be  consummated.  The 
province  of  Buenos  Ayres  lost  in  the  same  way  the  portion  of 
territory  on  both  sides  of  the  Uruguay  River,  where  the  seven- 
teen pueblos  belonging  to  it  had  been  situated. 

But,  subsequently  to  this,  we  find  an  official  communication 
of  the  Viceroy,  Marquis  of  Sobremonte,  addressed  to  Don 
Bernardo  de  Velazco,  Governor  of  Misiones,  and  dated  Buenos 
Ayres,  March  24th,  1806,  in  which  the  latter  is  informed  by 
order  of  His  Majesty,  of  his  appointment  as  Governor,  both  civil 
and  military,  and  also  as  Intendant-General  of  the  province  of 
Paraguay  and  of  the  thirty  2meblos  of  the  Jlisiones  of  Guarani 
and  Tape  Indians  at  Uruguay  and  Parana,  &c.,  which  had  been 
annexed  to  that  province.  Then,  in  compliance  with  that 
order  of  the  King  of  Spain,  Governor  Velazco  took  possession  of 
the  Government  of  Paraguay,  such  as  newly  constituted.  The 
act  or  instrument  in  writiug  made  by  the  Clerk  of  the  City  Cor-' 
poration  and  of  the  Governor  liimself,  to  verify  this  fact,  reads 
as  follows:  "1  do  certify  and  attest  that  SenorDon  Benardo  de 
Velazco  has  l)een  inaugurated  Governor  and  Intendant  of  this 
province,  and  of  the  jmeblos  of  Misiones  which  have  been  an- 
3 


18 

nexed  to  it,  and  that  said  GoTernor  took  the  oath  of  office 
before  the  City  Corporation  according  to  law.  In  whose  testi- 
mony I  have  issued  the  present  at  La  Asuncion  this  5tli  day  of 
May,  1806." 

The  same  Viceroy,  Marquis  of  Sobremoute,  under  date  of  the. 
12th  of  April  of  the  same  year,  1806,  addressed,  from  Buenos 
Ayres,  to  Governor  Intendant  Velazco,  another  eommunicatioi| 
in  which  he  said  the  following:  "As,  according  to  the  will  of 
His  Majesty,  you  have  to  go  away  from  your  present  post  of 
duty  to  take  possession  of  the  Government  and  intendancy  of 
Paraguay,  for  which  you  have  been  appointed,  I  have  been 
thinking  about  the  difficulties  you  must  encounter,  to  attend 
properly,  at  such  a  great  distance,  to  the  administration  of  the 
Government  of  the  jnieblos  of  the  Guarani  missions,  which  are, 
and  have  to  remain,  under  your  command.  These  difficulties 
are  much  more  to  be  apprehended  now,  at  this  critical  moment, 
in  which  a  new  system  of  government  is  daily  expected,  judging 
from  the  urgent  recommendations  on  the  subject  made  by  His. 
Majesty.  Under  such  circumstances  I  have  deemed  it  advisable 
to  give  you  instructions  to  meditate  and  propose  the  plan 
which,  in  your  zeal  and  upon  your  experience  and  practical 
knowledge  of  the  locality,  you  may  consider  to  be  the  best  to 
remove  those  difficulties,  without  lessening  or  causing  any 
prejudice  to  the  dependence  upon  yourself  in  which  said  pueblos 
ought  to  be,  according  to  the  royal  commandment." 

In  the  same  month  of  May,  180G,  the  newly  appointed  Gov- 
ernor and  intendant  of  Paraguay,  and  of  the  iluvty  pueblos  of 
the  missions  of  the  Parana  and  Uruguay  rivers  annexed  to  it, 
as  before  stated,  came  to  the  city  of  La  Asuncion  and  took 
possession,  with  all  solemnity,  of  the  office  which  the  King  of 
Spain  had  entrusted  to  him.  A  proper  record,  or  memorial,  of 
this  ceremony  was  made  on  the  5th  of  May,  1806,  and  is  pre- 
served at  the  City  Hall  of  La  Asuncion. 

Governor  Velazco  remained  as  Governor  of  Paraguay  and 
Mis io7ies  until  1811,  in  whichyear  the  people  in  his  province  rose 
up  and  proclaimed  their  independence  from  Spain.  This  hap- 
pened, therefore,  four  or  five  years  after  the  annexation  to  Para- 
guay of  the  pueblos,  or  towns,  of  the  Misiones  territory  ordered 


19 

by  the  King,  had  been  consummated.  And  as  no  other  legal 
provision  of  a  later  date  has  ever  been  made  in  regard  to  those 
territories  formerly  of  Spain,  the  conclusion  is  that  they  lawfully 
correspond  to  Paraguay. 

When  Governor  Velazco  surrendered,  and  transferred  his  com- 
mand to  the  Executive  Junta  created  by  the  people  at  the  time 
of  their  declaration  of  independence,  and  their  asserting  their 
will  to  belong  to  themselves  and  not  to  recognize  allegiance  to 
any  other  power  from  outside,  lie  was  fully  exercising  his 
authority  over  the  whole  territory.  Consequently  the  right  of 
ownership  and  dominion  over  the  Department  named  "  Mis- 
siones  of  the  Parana  and  Uruguay  *'  belongs  de  facto  and  de  jure 
to  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay,  since  the  said  right  was  transferred 
to  her  by  the  original  owner,  and  (as  it  has  been  stated)  no  pos- 
terior law  has  been  passed  providing  for  any  modification  of 
such  a  state  of  things. 

It  is  precisely  upon  this  ground  that  all  other  peoples,  of  the 
same  origin,  and  in  identical  cases,  have  maintained  successfully 
their  right  of  dominion  over  their  own  territories,  as  founded 
upon  titles  both  perfect  and  indisputable.  It  is  upon  it  that 
Paraguay  claims  to  have  always  maintained  her  sovereignty  and 
dominion  over  Misiones  territory. 

Mr.  Minister  Mitre,  knowing  that  the  right  of  Paraguay  is 
much  better  than  the  one  claimed  by  his  own  Government, 
waives,  in  his  memorandum,  all  discussion  about  it,  and  assumes 
that  the  best  diplomatic  way  of  adjusting  this  question  is  to 
accept,  by  common  consent,  the  settlement  which  he  deems  to  be 
suggested  by  nature,  or,  in  other  words,  to  establish  the  line  of 
the  Parana  river  to  be  the  natural  and  legal  frontier  between  the 
two  Eepublics.  That  line,  however,  cannot  be  made  legal  unless 
Paraguay  gives  up  her  dominion  ov£r  the  left  bank  of  that 
river;  and  as  to  the  character  of  natural,  attempted  to  be  given 
to  that  frontier,  the  examination  of  the  titles  alluded  to  by  the 
republic  shows  it  to  be  perfectly  incorrect. 

Buenos  Ayres  never  had  any  right  to  the  Misiones  territory, 
which  belongs  to  Paraguay,  except  during  the  time  in  which 
the  enactment  of  the  King  of  Spain  of  1726  was  in  operation. 
But  that  enactment  was  due  to  accidental  circumstances  such 


20 

as  the  rising  up  in  arms  of  the  Indians  who  inhabited  those 
23uel)los  within  the  jurisdiction  of  Paraguay  at  the  time  in  which 
Governor  Garcia  Eos  came  to  succeed  Governor  Antequera, 
and  Avas  refused  not  only  to  be  recognized  as  his  successor,  but 
defeated  after  a  severe  fight  at  Tebicuary.  As  the  disturbances 
continued  the  King  thought  to  bring  a  temporary  remedy  to 
such  a  state  of  things  by  issuing  his  ordinance  of  1726.  But 
this  ordinance  was  afterwards  repealed  by  the  same  sovereign  of 
Spain,  and  the  territory  passed  again  to  be  the  property  of  the 
province  of  Paraguay,  as  shown  before. 

It  is  in  vain  that  Mr.  Minister  Mitre  pretends  to  give  color  of 
legality  to  the  acts  done  by  Colonel  Rocamora,  and  maintain 
that  as  this  officer  recognized,  in  1810,  the  supreme  authority  of 
the  Junta  of  Buenos  Ayres  his  recognition  caused  the  Misiones 
territory  to  be,  from  tliat  very  moment,  an  integrant  part  of 
what  was  subsequently  called  ''the  United  Provinces  of  the  La 
Plata  River."  We  say  that  it  is  in  vain  because  those  acts  of 
Rocamora  were  illegal  and  unauthorized,  and  rather  afforfT  a 
conclusive  evidence  of  the  rights  of  Paraguay. 

The  Junta  of  Buenos  Ayres,  wanting  to  take  from  Paraguay 
the  Misiones  territory,  appointed  Colonel  Don  Tomas  Roca- 
mora to  be  jyro  tem.  the  Governor  thereof ;  but  the  Junta' had 
neither  power  to  make  such  appointment,  nor  any  right  or 
authority  over  the  territory  itself,  since  Don  Bernardo  de 
Velazco  was  at  that  time  in  the  full  exercise  of  the  jurisdiction 
given  him  by  His  Majesty  the  King  of  Spain. 

Subsequently  the  same  Junta,  on  the  27th  of  May,  1810,  ad- 
dressed officially  Col.  Rocamora,  and  sent  to  him  some  printed 
papers  setting  forth  the  reasons  why  a  Provisory  Executive 
Junta  had  been  established,  and  what  were  their  purposes  and 
intents,  adding  that  no  doubt  was  entertained  about  the  patriotic 
way  in  which  he  would  assist  the  Junta  to  remove  and  over- 
come the  obstacles  which  might  possibly  embarrass  the  uni- 
formity of  action  within  his  district. 

As  soon  as  Rocamora  received  this  communication  he  sent  a 
circular  to  the  different  sub-delegates  of  the  Departments  to 
which  the  thirty  ^Jiieblos  of  Misiones  belonged,  and  directed 
them  to  solemnize  the  installation  of  the  ^aid  Junta.     He  also 


21 

directed  them  to  forward  a  list  of  tlio  names  of  all  persons  fit 
for  military  service,  specially  of  those  having  more  means,  and 
make  a  statement  of  the  Spaniards  living  in  each  Department, 
of  the  armament  therein  existing,  of  the  troops  in  actnal  ser- 
vice, and  of  the  amount  of  money  kept  in  the  treasury.  While 
these  events  were  happening,  Governor  Don  Bernardo  Velazco, 
was  at  the  city  of  La  Asuncion,  where  he  had  returned  after 
having  made  an  excursion  to  the  lower  districts  of  the  province ; 
but  as  soon  as  he  received  through  the  sub-delegate,  Don  Pedro 
Nolasco  Alfaro  (July  10th,  1810),  official  information,  of  the 
strange  action  of  the  intruder,  C^olonel  Rocamora,  who  dared 
to  give  orders  within  the  distiict  under  his  own  command,  he  did 
as  he  ought  to  ander  the  circumstances.  Sub-delegate  Alfaro 
wanted  to  know  what  were  the  powers  of  that  new  officer,  who 
did  not  care  to  be  recognized,  before  pretending  to  be  obeyed. 

Upon  the  receipt  of  this  information,  Governor  Velazco  put 
himself  in  march,  and  when  he  reached  the  town  of  Can- 
delaria  he  issued  his  proclamation  of  August  30th,  1810,  by 
which  he  ordered  the  arrest  of  Colonel  Don  Tomas  Eocamora, 
and  caused  him  to  be  brought  to  his  presence,  to  be  tried  and 
punished  as  required,  by  way  of  example  for  his  having 
come,  Avithout  any  authority,  to  give  orders  within  his  terri- 
tory. The  Governor  called  Rocamora  a  seditiotis  man,  a  dis- 
turber of  the  j)ublic.  peace,  and  a  traitor  to  the  country  and  to 
the  King. 

The  result  of  this  proclamation  was  that  Rocamora  disap- 
peared, as  well  as  his  pretended  authority.  It  could  not  be  other- 
wise. His  government  was  merely  a  shadow,  and  it  cannot 
afford  now  the  slightest  foundation  to  the  alleged  right  of  the 
Argentine  Republic  to  the  said  territory  of  Misiones. 

The  power  of  Rocamora  will  appear  niucli  more  ephemeral 
and  groundless,  when  the  fact  is  noticed  tiiat  the  superior  au- 
thorities of  Buenos  Ayres  who  appointed  him  acted  as  con- 
tinuators  of  the  Government  of  Ferdinand  VII,  to  which  they 
invoked.  Governor  Don  Bernardo  de  Velazco,  however,  was 
ruling  over  Paraguay  upon  no  other  principle,  and  the  authority 
he  exercised  emanated  from  no  other  source  than  the  King 
himself. 


22 

As  it  has  been  said  Governor  Velazco  exercised  actnal  au- 
thority over  tlie  whole  territor}-  entrusted  to  him  by  the  Gov- 
ernment of  Spain,  and  by  defeating  the  armed  force  which  had 
invaded  the  territory,  he  maintained  and  enforced  his  own 
authority  and  the  rights  of  the  province.  It  was  under  this 
condition  of  things  when  he  transferred  his  authority  to  the 
other  Junta  created  by  the  people  of  Paraguay,  when  they 
decided  to  be  free  and  the  owners  of  their  own  destinies,  and 
entered  into  the  exercise  of  their  sovereignty  and  independence, 
as  all  peoples  of  America  formerly  under  European  monarchical 
rule  have  done.  It  was  but  natural  and  plain  that  Paraguay 
would  follow  the  law  and  the  precedents  established  by  these 
other  nations,  and  that  her  dominion  and  jurisdiction  would 
extend  over  the  whole  territory  which  formerly  w^as  under  Gov- 
ernor-Intendant  Don  Bernardo  de  Velazco. 

This  right  was  confirmed,  when  Buenos  Ayres  recognized 
our  independence,  first  by  a  note  of  August  28th, -1811,  and 
subsequently  by  the  treaty  of  the  12th  of  October  of  the  same 
year;  the  latter  part  of  the  Ith  article  of  this  treaty  reads  as 
follows:  "and  for  tlie  moment,  tke  limits  of  this  Province  of 
Paraguay  shall  remain  the  same  as  are  at  present,  for  which  rea- 
son its  Government  shall  be  in  chai'ge  of  the  defence  of  the  De- 
partment of  Caudelaria." 

From  the  terms  of  the  treaty  stipulations  just  quoted,  it  is 
natural  to  conclude  that  Paraguay  acquired  both  de  facto  and 
de  jure  the  ownership  of  the  Misiones  territory,  and  that 
Buenos  Ayres,  after  having  recognized  in  such  terms  our  na- 
tional independence,  could  no  longer  ignore  that  right.  Its 
acting  otherwise  would  be  fully  in  opposition  to  the  principles 
of  the  law  of  nations. 

As  the  Republic  of  Paraguay  has  made  no  other  treaty  of 
limits  Avith  the  Aigentine  Republic,  since  the  one  concluded  in 
1856,  was  not  ratified  by  the  Congress  of  Parana,  there  is  no 
doubt  that  up  to  this  date  the  territory  of  Misiones,  de  facto 
and  de  jure,  ])clongs  to  her. 

In  addition  to  what  Ave  have  already  stated,  and  needs  no 
further  exphination,  because-it  proves  conclusively  the  right  of 
Paraguay,  we  have  deemed  it  proper  to  refer,  as  to  a  historical 


23 

documeiit.  to  the  book  written  l^y  Don  Felix  de  Azara,  and  en- 
titled •'  DescrijK'ion  e  Ilistoria  del  Pimtgvay  y  del  Rio  de  la 
Plata  " — (History  and  description  of  Paragnay,  and  of  La  Plata 
River),  in  whose  first  volume  and  XIV  chapter  an  ennmei'ation 
is  made  of  the  i)ueblos  and  parishes  of  Paragnay,  among  wliich 
the  seventeen  towns  of  Misiones  are  stated  by  name. 

We  might  put  here  an  end  to  the  historical  part  of  this  dis- 
cussion about  the  Misiones  territory,  over  which  we  have  an 
unquestionalile  and  fully  established  right,  but  the  Argentine 
Plenipotentiary,  in  his  memorandum,  to  which  we  now^  reply, 
has  touched  (although  without  foundation)  some  other  points 
which,  in  his  opinion,  give  support  to  the  claim  of  his  country, 
and  so  it  becomes  necessary  for  us  to  dwell  a  little  longer  on  the 
subject.  The  Argentine  Plenipotentiary  uses  as  his  last  argu- 
ment that,  "in  compliance  with  the  Convention  of  1811,  a 
final  decision  of  this  question  was  given  by  the  General  Con- 
gress of  the  Argentine  Provinces,  to  which  Paraguay  had  sub- 
mitted before  hand  by  the  treaty  of  October  12th,  1811."  And 
shortly  afterwards  he  adds:  "But  even  in  case  that  such  a 
thing  was  not  made  the  object  of  an  express  covenant,  the  said 
Congress  w^as  then  the  only  power  upon  which  the  decision  of 
such  a  question  could  be  devolved." 

This  argument  has  no  other  force  than  that  of  a  mere  asser- 
tion of  the  Argentme  Plenipotentiary.  Paraguay,  at  that  time, 
was  completely  independent,  and  had  the  full  possession  of  her 
sovereignty,  and  couseqently,  her  Government  could  not  sub- 
mit to,  or  to  be  bound  by  any  decision  of  the  Congi-ess  of  the 
Argentine  Provinces,  without  first  giving  its  consent.  The 
language  of  the  treaty  alluded  to,  is  the  following:  ''  As  a  con- 
sequence of  the  independence  of  the  Province  of  Paraguay  from 
that  of  Buenos  Ayres,  which  is  preserved  to  her,  according  to 
the  agreement  made  by  the  official  communication  of  the  28th 
of  August,  ultimo,  the  Most  Excellent  Junta,  (the  Junta  of 
Buenos  Ayres),  shall  not  mingle  or  interfere  with  the  fulfillment 
and  execution  of  the  resolutions  passed  by  her "  (Treaty  of 
October  12,  Article  V). 

According  to  the  plain  language  of  this  article,  no  foreign 
power  could  claim  or  exercise  any  longer  authority  of  any  kind 


24 

over  the  territory  of  Paraguay.  But  Buenos  Ayres  could  do  it 
much  less  than  all  other  nations,  because  it  has  been  the  first  to 
acknowledge  our  sovereign  rights.  Tlierefore,  the  action,  if  any, 
taken  by  the  Congress  of  the  Argentine  Provinces,  was  fully 
unauthorized. 

That  Congress  had  no  jurisdiction  to  legislate  for  the 
Misiones  Territory,  which  belonged  to  Paraguay  ;  much  more 
so  when  Paraguay  did  not  send  to  that  Assembly  any  represen- 
tative of  lier. 

If  we  look  at  the  right  of  Paraguay  over  the  disputed  territory 
from  a  practical  point  of  view,  and  paying  due  attention  to  ac- 
complished facts,  it  will  certainly  be  proved  not  less  iinally  and 
conclusively. 

In  the  year  18')5,  during  the  effervescenee  of  the  revolutious, 
which  under  several  leaders  broke  out  in  the  rich  territory  of 
Misiones,  and  devastated  it  to  sucii  a  great  extent,  the  Groveru- 
ment  of  Paraguay  never  failed  to  send  there,  one  after  another, 
the  military  expeditions  which  it  deemed  necessary,  and  which 
went  on  as  far  as  Urugua}^  to  repress  the  outlaws  who  in- 
fested that  country,  and  to  demolish  the  villages  where  they 
used  to  take  shelter,  and  from  where  they  generally  started  for 
all  their  excursions.  And  when  their  boldness  became  such 
as  to  make  an  attempt  against  tlie  town  of  Candelaria,  the 
Government  concentrated  there  its  forces,  in  order  to  give  pro- 
tection to  that  Department,  which  belonged  to  it,  and  which  the 
revolutionists  had  made  the  theatre  of  their  depredations. 

In  that  vei'y  year.  Dictator  Francia  caused  the  camp  named 
"  El  Salto,"  to  be  established  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Parana 
river,  and  gave  directions  to  establish  another  one  at  the  place 
named  "Trinchera  de  Loreto,"  within  the  Paraguayan  territory. 
He  sent  to,  and  maintained  in  these  two  camps,  and  also  in 
San  Miguel,  strong  military  detachments,  Avell  supplied  with 
cattle  and  everything,  and  ready  to  resist  and  repress  any  out- 
rages caused  by  the  revolutionary  bands  frequenting  those 
places. 

Lately  in  1832,  the  same  Dictator  being  willing  to  give  the 
"  El  Salto  "  camp  a  l^etter  location,  ordered  it  to  l)e  removed  to 
llic  phice  in  wliich  the  intrenchmentof  "  San  Jose"  was  situate. 


25 

and  caused  also  the  strong  wall,  or  field-work,  still  existing 
there,  to  be  erected  near  by.  He  constantly  kept  a  garrison  at 
San  Tomas  and  Candelaria,  and  plainly  showed  by  these  acts 
of  actual  possession,  the  dominion  of  Paraguay  over  that  terri- 
tory. 

In  the  presence  of  these  facts,  the  only  conclusion  which  can 
be  reached  is,  that  the  decision  given  by  the  General  Congress 
of  the  Argentine  Provinces,  now  invoked  against  us,  was  in- 
efficient and  void.  Had  that  decision  been  legal  in  any  way 
whatever,  or  had  it  had  any  efficiency,  the  Government  of  Para- 
guay would  have  been  unable  to  exercise  the  acts  of  sovereignty 
above  referred  to,  and  which  took  place  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
Parana  river,  on  the  same  territory  of  Misiones,  now  in  dis- 
pute. 

Under  the  administration  of  Don  Carlos  Antonio  Lopez,  who 
sacceeded  Dictator  Francia,  the  Paraguayan  Government  con- 
tinued to  occupy  those  places,  and  frequently  caused  its  armies 
to  go  through  the  whole  territory  as  far  as  Uruguay.  At  the 
time  of  the  disturbances  at  Hormigneros  and  the  surrounding 
country,  a  military  camp  was  also  established  there. 

In  addition  to  this  proof  just  given  upon  the  foundation  of 
the  practical  way  in  which  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay  has  en- 
forced her  right  of  sovereignty,  and  actually  exercised  jurisdic- 
tion over  the  territory  now  in  dispute,  we  beg  to  be  permitted  to 
point  out  at  other  facts,  stated  in  official  documents  now  in  our 
sight,  and  which,  we  think,  are  also  to  be  found  in  the  archives 
of  Buenos  Apres. 

When  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay  commenced  to  exercise  her 
sovereignty,  her  first  step  was  to  tender  the  Government  of 
Buenos  Ayres  her  aid  and  assistance  to  support  the  cause  of 
freedom  and  independence  which  was  common  to  both.  So  it 
appears  clearly,  from  the  note  of  July  20th,  1811.  And  the 
Government  of  Buenos  Ayres,  by  its  communication  of  August 
28th,  in  which  it  recognized  our  independence,  expressed  its 
gratitude  to  Paraguay  for  the  assistance  given  by  her  to  the 
city  of  Corrientes,  which  had  been  threatened  by  pirates. 

It  would  be  tedious  to  refer  to,  and  much  more  to  transcribe 
all  the  documents  showing  the  comity  and  good  policy  with 
4 


26 

which  Paraguay  concurred  with  Buenos  Ay  res  in  maintaining 
the  cause  of  liberty.  If,  in  some  instances,  Paraguay  did  not 
contribute  the  troops  asked  for  by  Buenos  Ayres,  this  is  a  fault 
which  certainly  cannot  be  imputed  to  her,  because  it  depended 
upon  the  Grovernment  of  Buenos  Ayres  itself,  which  failed  to 
furnish  the  armament  which  Paraguay  was  ready  to  pay,  but 
which  she  had  not  the  means  to  get  at  tliat  time,  and  without 
Avhich  no  troops  could  be  dispatched. 

But  even  on  those  occasions,  Paraguay  never  failed  to  give 
practical  and  efficient  assistance  to  Buenos  Ayres,  either  by  sup- 
plying its  armies  with  everything  raised,  or  attainable  within  her 
own  territory,  or  by  preserving  the  peace  in  the  frontier,  and 
preventing  the  predatory  bands  which  then  infested  that  coun- 
try, from  causing  any  injury  to  the  common  cause  and  troubling 
public  order.  This  is  shown  by  the  notes  of  October  27th,  and 
December  19th,  1811,  and  January  19th,  25th,  and  29th,  1812, 
as  well  as  by  many  others,  all  of  them  addressed  by  the  Govern- 
ment of  Paraguay  to  the  Government  of  Buenos  Ayres.  These 
several  documents,  in  which  the  latter  Government  expressed 
its  gratitude  to  the  former,  for  all  these  services,  ought  to  be 
found,  also,  as  said  before,  in  the  archives  of  Buenos  Ayres. 

Upon  the  face  of  these  documents  which  show  that  Paraguay 
fulfilled  her  duty  in  the  defense  of  the  common  cause,  we  feel 
authorized  not  to  admit  the  unfounded  argument  of  the  Argen- 
tine Plenipotentiary,  that  "Paraguay  having  not  directly  con- 
tributedto  conquer  the  independence,  and  to  found  by  a  common 
effort  the  new  nationality,  ceased  to  be  an  integrant  part  of  the 
community  to  which  the  Misiones'  territory  belonged."  An 
argument  like  this  promptly  vanishes  before  the  evidence  just 
produced. 

The  Argentine  Plenipotentiary  says,  also,  but  with  no  reason 
at  all,  that  "  Paraguay  could  not  pretend  to  decide  by  herself 
alone  a  national  question  of  this  kind."  But  as  the  Republic  of 
Paruguay,  from  the  very  moment  in  which  she  entered  into  the 
exercise  of  her  sovereignty  and  independence,  became  vested 
with  absolute  right  and  power  over  all  the  dominions  which 
had  belonged  to  the  Colonial  Crovernment,  when  she  was  the 
Spanish  province  of  Paraguay;   and  as  she  has  asserted  and 


27 

exercised  that  power,  as  constantly  and  efficiently,  as  shown  he- 
fore,  for  more  than  half  a  century,  as  tlie  whole  world  can  wit- 
ness, the  fallacy  of  this  argument  is  clearly  shown. 

Coming  now  to  a  recapitulation  of  all  the  arguments  herein 
made  in  defense  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay,  we  shall  say  that 
her  right  is  the  best  of  all  in  this  question  of  the  Misiones  terri- 
tory, for  the  following  reasons  : 

First.  Because,  in  spite  of  the  changes  of  jurisdiction  to 
which  the  Misiones  territory  was  subjected,  the  last  disposition 
of  it  made  by  the  King  ofSpain,  in  1806,  was  to  the  effect  of 
uniting  and  consoiidating  in  only  one  Government,  both  mili- 
tary and  civil,  the  same  Misiones  territory  and  the  Province  of 
Paraguay  ;  and  because  it  was  under  these  circumstances,  and 
under  that  state  of  things,  that  Paraguay  proclaimed  her  inde- 
pendence from  Spain.  By  this  act  she  acquired  for  herself  the 
right  of  sovereignty  and  dominion  over  the  whole  territory  be- 
longing to  her  at  that  time ;  and  this  was  done  according  to  the 
same  principles,  and  in  use  of  the  same  right,  as  all  other  peo- 
ples of  her  race  have  done  in  identical  cases.  This  is  also  in 
perfect  accordance  with  the  principles  of  international  law. 

Second.  Because  Buenos  Ayres,  by  the  treaty  of  1811,  while 
recognizing  our  independence,  recognized  also  our  limits  to  be 
the  same  as  existing  at  that  time. 

Third.  Because  the  question  left  by  the  said  treaty  to  be  con- 
sidered and  decided  afterwards  by  the  General  Congress  of  the 
Argentine  Provinces  was  not  a  question  having  reference  at  all 
with  the  Misiones  territory,  but  one  relating  exclusively  to  the 
district  of  Pedro  Gonzalez.  And,  practically,  this  question  was 
ipso  facto  decided  and  settled  in  favor  of  Paraguay,  as  shown  by 
her  action.  The  treaty  aforesaid  may  have  been  deemed  to  be 
elastic  (although  certainly  it  was  not  so)  as  far  as  other  bound- 
aries were  concerned.  But  be  it  as  it  may,  it  is  always  perfectly 
clear  that  no  decision  of  the  aforesaid  Congress  binds  Paraguay, 
nor  can  it  produce  any  legal  effect,  because  Paraguay  was  not 
represented  in  it,  and  because  none  of  the  formalities  which  are 
required  to  settle  lawfully  a  question  of  limits  between  two 
sovereign  nations  was  duly  fulfilled.  Neither  of  these  two  cir- 
cumstances concurred  at  the  passing,  if  ever,  by  that  Congress 


28 

of  the  alleged  decision ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  therefore,  accord- 
ing to  the  law  of  nations,  that  it  was  perfectly"[void,  and  could 
not  affect  the  sovereign  rights  of  Paraguay  over  the  territory 
now  in  dispute. 

In  conclusion,  we  must  state  plainly  that  if  this  question- 
about  the  Misiones  territory  is  to  be  settled  by  fixing  as  bound- 
ary the  line  of  the  Parana  river,  it  will  be  merely  because  of  the 
protocol  of  the  7th  of  May  instant,  in  which  the  Eepublic  of 
Paraguay,  actuated  by  the  good  policy  of  making  peace  with  the 
Argentine  Republic,  showed  herself  ready  to  accept  condition- 
ally that  settlement. 

Note. — The  Paraguayan  Plenipotentiary  proceeds  here  to 
discuss  the  question  of  the  Atajo  or  Cerrito  Island,  the  posses- 
sion of  which  was  also  claimed  by  the  Argentine  Eepublic ;  and 
after  having  shown  the  perfect  right  of  Paraguay  over  the  said 
island,  and  the  exclusive  jurisdiction  ever  exercised  there  before 
the  war  by  her  authorities,  with  no  contradiction  on  the  part  of 
the  Argentine  Eepublic,  goes  on  as  follows  : 

Question  of  El  Chaco. 

In  order  that  the  indisputable  right  of  Paraguay  over  the 
territory  of  El  Chaco,  which  extends  from  the  left  bank  of  the 
Bermejo  river  unto  the  bay  named  Bahia  ISTegra,  be  duly  appre- 
ciated, a  previous  consideration  must  be  given,  not  only  to  the 
titles  respectively  produced,  but  to  some  historical  facts  of  great 
importance  in  the  case.  It  is  therefore  our  purpose  to  study 
the  subject  under  this  point  of  view,  and  then  to  show  the  right 
which,  under  the  same  facts  and  titles,  belongs  to  Paraguay. 

The  city  of  La  Asuncion,  which  is  the  capital  of  the  re- 
public, was  founded  by  the  Spaniards  in  1536.  Subsequently 
to  its  foundation  the  Spaniards  from  there  commenced  to  extend 
their  dominions,  and  through  many  great  efforts  and  sacrifices 
succeeded  in  founding  some  other  towns  or  villas  on  either  side 
of  the  Paraguay  river.  Since  that  time  the  citizens  of  La  Asun- 
cion never  ceased  to  be  called  upon,  even  at  immense  sacrifices, 
to  aid  by  every  possible  means  the  civilization  of  tlie  wild  In- 
dians inhabiting  El  Chaco,  and  their  conversion  to  the  Christian 
faith.     Not  less  frequent  and  costly  were  also  the  expeditions 


29 

sent  by  them  to  the  said  territory  of  El  Chaco,  either  to  pre- 
vent a  hostile  invasion  by  the  Indians,  or  to  treat  with  them, 
and  try  by  peaceful  means  to  gain  their  confidence  and  encour- 
age them  to  work  and  be  converted. 

"  The  most  ancient  city  held  by  Paraguay  in  the  territory  of 
El  Chaco  was  the  one  named  '  La  Concepcion  de  la  Buena  Es- 
peranza  del  Bermejo,'  founded  in  1585,  by  Captain  Alonso  de 
Vera  de  Aragon,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Bermejo  river, 
thirty  leagues  above  its  confluence  with  the  Paraguay  river. 
Captain  Vera,  when  going  to  found  that  city,  started  from  La 
Asuncion ;  and  his  party,  consisting  of  citizens  of  the  same 
capital,  was  provided  with  arms  and  ammunition,  provisions, 
and  cattle  of  all  kinds,  bought  at  their  own  expense,  and  with 
no  assistance  at  all  of  the  royal  treasury. 

"  The  same  citizens  of  La  Asuncion  founded  afterwards,  on 
the  left  bank  of  the  same  Bermejo  river,  not  at  a  great  distance 
from  Buena  Espemnza  City,  and  with  Indians  from  El  Chaco, 
the  REDUCCIONES,  or  Indian  settlements,  named  Saii  Bernardo, 
Santiago  de  Canzaye,  and  Nuestra  Seiiora  de  los  Dolores,  which 
were  left  under  their  care  and  jurisdiction. 

"  Don  Bernardo  de  Espinola,  Solicitor  of  the  City  of  La 
Asuncion,  wanting  to  commemorate  the  foundation  of  Buena 
Esperanza  City,  made  an  application  in  1G05,  in  his  own.  name, 
and  in  the  name  of  the  city  corporation  of  La  Asuncion,  asking 
for  the  collection  of  some  testimony  in  relation  with  that  event. 
This  testimony  was  taken  according  to  the  rules  of  what  is 
called  investigations  iiv  perpetuam  memoriam.  Trustworthy 
witnesses  were  examined,  and  proofs,  of  reliable  character,  about 
the  fact  of  the  foundation  itself,  and  of  the  services  rendered  by 
the  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  Paraguay  in  the  conquest  of  the 
country  and  in  the  erection  of  other  cities  and  towns,  were  put 
on  file.  Don  Fernando  Arias  de  Saavedra,  who  was  then  the 
Governor  of  Paraguay,  and  who  had  granted  the  petition  of 
Solicitor  Espinola  by  an  order  of  the  5th  of  November,  1G05, 
was  the  authority  who  took  the  testimony.  The  witnesses 
whose  names  had  been  previously  given  tlie  clerk,  Don  Juan  de 
Robles,  at  the  time  of  the  notification  of  the  Governor's  order, 
were  all  citizens  of  La  Asuncion,  and  named  as  follows  :  Captain 


30 

Don  Juan  de  Espinosa,  Don  Jnan  Baiitista  Orona,  Don 
Bartolome  de  Serrano,  Don  Juan  Manuel  [Quinones  de  In- 
sauralde,  the  Vicar  General  of  the  province,  Don  Luis  de 
Medina,  and  Don  Diego  Vasconcelos,  one  of  the  conc^uerors  and 
early  settlers.  These  witnesses  were  examined  unon  oath,  and 
in  their  answers  to  the  interrogatories  which  were  propounded 
to  them,  unanimously  stated  as  follows:  That  the  citizens  and 
inhabitants  of  this  government  and  province  of  Paraguay 
started  from  here  and  founded  many  other  cities ;  as,  for 
instance,  '  Santa  Cruz  de  la  Sierra,'  which  was  founded  by  Nuplo 
de  Chavez,  and  '  Ciudad  Eeal  Villa  Eiea  del  Espiritu  Santo  y 
provincia  del  Guaira,'  by  Captain  Ruy  Diaz  Melgarejo.  The 
City  of  '  Santa  Fe '  was  founded  with  citizens  of  Paraguay  by 
General  Don  Juan  de  Garay,  Avho  also  rebuilt  the  city  and  port 
of  'La  Santisima  Trinidad  de  Buenos  Aires,'  and  who  was 
accompanied  in  other  journeys  by  witness  Don  Juan  de 
Espinosa,  who  had  witli  him  several  citizens  and  soldiers  from 
La  Asuncion,  all  supported  by  him. 

"  That  the  city  of  '  La  Concepcion  de  Buena  Esperanza  del 
Bermejo  '  was  founded  by  Captain  Alonzo  de  Vera  Aragon,  and 
settled  by  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  La  Asuncion,  who  fur- 
nished, at  their  own  expense,  all  the  necessary  supplies  of  pro- 
visions and  armament,  and  provided  also  to  the  personal  ex- 
penses of  Captain  Vera.  Two  sons  of  witness  Espinosa  formed 
part  of  this  expedition. 

"  That  the  city  of  '  Sau  Juan  de  Vera  de  los  Corrientes  '  was 
founded  likewise  by  Licenciate  Don  Juan  Torres  de  Vera,  and 
that  their  first  inhabitants  came  from  the  Province  of 
Paraguay.  Witness  Espinosa  went  there  with  Licenciate 
Torres,  and  subsequently  accompanied  him  as  far  as  Buenos 
Ayres. 

"  Witness  Don  Diego  Vasconcelos  gives  further  explanations, 
and  says  tliat  General  Nuplo  de  Chavez  went  out  and  founded 
the  City  of  '  Santa  Cruz  de  la  Sierra,'  by  order  of  Captain  Gon- 
zalo  de  Mendoza,  who  was  at  that  time  the  governor  of  La 
Asuncion." 

"  That  it  was  from  the  city  of  La  Asuncion  that  General 
Don  Juan  de  Garay  started  when  he  went  to  found  the  city  of 


31 

*  Santa  Fe ' ;  and  that  lie  took  from  there  the  soldiers  and  the 
people  required  for  that  foundation." 

''That  at  that  time  Captain  Suarez  Toledo  was  the  lieutenant 
governor  ;  and  that  General  Garay  went  over  to  Buenos 
Ayres." 

'•'  That  under  the  administration  of  Governor  Juan  Torres 
Navarrette,  an  expedition  was  sent  by  him  from  the  city  of  La 
Asuncion  to  explore  the  territory  of  El  Chaco  and  the  course 
of  the  Bermejo  river,  _this  being  done  with  a  view  to  found 
there  the  city,  at  that  time  projected,  of  '  Concepcion  de  la 
Buena  Esperanza.'" 

"  That  the  city  of  '  Santiago  de  Jerez  '  was  founded  by  Cap- 
tain Euy  Diaz  de  Guzman,  and  that  its  settlers  were  citizens  of 
'  Ciudad  Eeal '  and  '  Villa  Rica  del  Espirita  Santo.'  It  was 
laid  on  the  banks  of  the  Zaznary  river,  aud  the  Spaniards 
acknowledged  it  to  be  the  limit  between  the  dominions  of  Spain 
and  Portugal ;  and  that  ft  was  so  in  1593." 

*'  The  depositions  of  the  six  witnesses  above  named  coincide 
with  each  other,  aud  only  differ  in  some  minor  details. 

"In  1598,  under  the  administration  of  Don  Fernando  de 
Zarate,  a  knight  of  the  order  of  Santiago,  and  the  Governor, 
Captain-General,  and  chief  justice  of  Paraguay  aud  of  the  whole 
territory  of  the  La  Plata  river,  and  while  he  was  temporarily 
absent  in  the  provinces  of  Peru,  Captain  Don  Bartholome  San- 
doval Ocampos,  the  Lieutenant  Governor  was  appointed  by  him 
to  act  in  his  place  as  Captain  General  and  chief  justice  of  Para- 
guay and  of  the  whole  territory  under  his  charge,  which  ex- 
tended as  far  as  the  La  Plata  river ;  and  this  gentleman,  who 
took  his  residence  at  La  Asuncion,  and  acted  as  already  said,  as 
chief  magistrate  of  the  provinces  during  the  absence  of  Gover- 
nor Zarate,  received  information  about  the  necessitous  condition 
of  the  towns  under  his  command  which  were  near  the  Portuguese 
frontier,  and  decided  in  September,  1595,  to  pay  a  visit  of  inspec- 
tion to  the  provinces  of  Guaira,Villa  Pica  del  Espirita  Santo,  and 
the  City  of  Santiago  de  Jerez,  recently  founded.  He  went 
there  and  did  all  that  he  deemed  to  be  the  best  for  the  royal 
service,  aud  for  the  preservation  and  prosperity  of  the  settle- 
ments and  their  inhabitants.     From  there  he  started  to  see  how 


32 

to  suppress  the  outrages  committed  by  the  Guiirani  Indians  of 
El  Chaeo,  who  were  constantly  invading  the  territory  neighbor- 
ing La  Asuncion.  To  accomplish  this  ])iirpose  he  went  to 
Concepcion  de  Buena  Esperanza  del  Bermejo,  to  take  from 
there  some  friendly  Indians,  already  converted,  whom  he 
wanted  to  send  with  the  expedition  he  meditated  against  El 
Chaco,  but  had  to  desist  of  this  idea  because  of  the  rebellious 
spirit  which  he  fouud  among  the  Indians  of  those  settlements," 

We  have  not,  at  present,  in  our  archives,  because  they  were 
lost  during  the  last  war,  the  original  documents  to  which  the 
historical  passages  just  before  quoted  refer.  But  these  passages 
have  been  taken  verbatim  from  a  work  of  Don  Jose  Falcon,  a 
citizen  of  Paraguay,  and  the  head  of  the  national  archives,  who, 
by  authorization  of  the  Government  of  the  republic  wrote,  upon 
official  data,  a  compendium  of  our  histor}^  A  portion  of  this 
work  of  Sefior  Falcon,  in  manuscript,  and  in  his  own  hand- 
writing, has  been  found  in  the  archives.  And  as  there  is  no 
doubt  about  the  reliability  of  that  author,  we  have  not  hesitated 
to  make  use  of  his  assertions,  as  they  give  evidence  of  the 
remote  date  in  which  Paraguay  bad  already  commenced  to  take 
direct  action  in  matters  concerning  the  territory  of  El  Chaco,  the 
possession  of  which  she  has  constantly  retained  afterwards  with- 
out any  interruption  from  the  said  period  until  the  present  date. 

It  appears  from  a  royal  ordinance,  dated  at  Madrid  on  the 
31st  of  December,  16G2,  the  original  of  which  exists  in  our  ar- 
chives, that  in  1618  another  royal  ordinance  of  the  King  of  Spain 
had  decided  to  divide  the  Paraguayan  territory.  This  em- 
braced at  that  time  the  whole  La  Plata  river,  ami  the  king 
gave  Buenos  Ayres  the  portion  which  extends  on  the  other 
side  of  the  city  of  "  Concepcion  del  Bermejo,"  and  also  the  cities 
of  Corrientes  and  Santa  Fc.  Paraguay  was  given,  in  her  turn, 
the'whole  territory  she  had  taken  possession  of  by  her  conquests 
and  by  all  other  acts  which  gave  her  the  right  of  dominion.  No 
title  was  then  transferred  to  Buenos  Ayres  by  virtue  of  the  said 
division  upon  the  territory  of  El  Chaco,  southward  of  the  Ber- 
mejo river. 

The  royal  ordinance  was  carried  into  effect  in  1G20,  but  as  soon 
as  this  dismemberment  of  the  territory  took  place,  the  city  of 


33 

Coucepciou  commeiicecl  to  decline.  Finally,  in  1632,  the  assaults 
made  on  it  by  the  wild  Indians  of  El  Chaco  were  so  much  re- 
peated that  it  was  completely  ruined.  The  same  was  the  case 
with  tlie  other  reducciones,  or  settlements,  in  that  locality. 

Subsequently,  und&r  the  administration  of  Don  Jose  Martinez 
Fontes,  a  treaty  was  made,  in  1762,  with  the  Abipone  Indians 
of  El  Chaco,  and  by  virtue  of  certain  arrangements  with  Cacique 
Deguachy,  a  reihcccio7i  was  given  those  savages  on  the  banks  of 
the  Paraguay  river,  on  the  El  Chaco  side,  and  at  the  place  named 
"Timbo."  This  foundation  was  immediately  carried  into  effect 
by  order  of  the  Governor,  and  certainly  at  immense  sacrifices 
on  the  part  of  the  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  La  Asuncion,  who, 
with  extreme  liberality,  provided  the  Indians  with  all  kinds  of 
supplies,  and  also  tools  and  implements  to  work,  and  even  labor- 
ers to  cultivate  the  land.  They  built  houses  for  the  Indians 
and  erected  a  church,  which  was  dedicated  and  given  the  name 
of  "Our  Lady  of  the  Eosary  and  St.  Charles  of  Timbo." 

Governor  Fontes  then  reported  to  the  King  of  Spain  the  foun- 
dation of  that  reduccio?i.  This  important  document,  dated  on 
the  20tb  of  March,  1763,  contains  the  following  language: 
"  Thereupon,  in  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Laws  of 
the  Indies,  this  town  or  settlement  {rediiccion)  of  Abipone  In- 
dians, and  of  Indians  of  other  nations  who  may  come  to  it,  is 
-hei'eby  declared  in  the  name  of  His  Majesty  to  be  incorporated  in 
the  dominions  of  his  royal  crown;  and  the  same  declaration  is 
made  in  regard  to  all  other  settlements  or  town  {reducciones)  to 
be  founded  within  this  province,  /dn  both  sides  of  the  Paraguay 
river,  with  Indians  of  El  Chaco,  either  of  the  Abipone  nation  or 
of  other  neighboring  ones  ." 

His  Majesty  the  King  of  Spain  imparted  his  approval  of  the 
facts  stated  in  the  document,  from  which  we  have  quoted  the 
foregoing  passage,  by  royal  ordinances  of  1764  and  1769. 

The  reduccion,  or  Indian  settlement  of  Timbo,  was  aban- 
doned, because  the  Indians  left  it  and  went  again  to  the  wilder- 
ness. But  the  work  done,  and  the  sacrifices  made  by  the 
Government  and  the  people  of  the  province  of  Paraguay  to 
found  that  settlement,  and  preserve  it,  are  recorded  by  history. 
Written  authentic  evidence  of  all  these  facts  is  in  our  sight,  and 
can  be  produced  whenever  required. 
5 


34 

Sometime  afterwards,  in  1772,  Governor  Don  Agustin  Fer- 
nandez de  Pineda,  who  then  came  to  preside  over  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  province  of  Paraguay,  engaged  himself  in  making 
treaties  of  peace  with  Indians  of  El  Ohaco,  and  succeeded  in  in- 
ducing one  tribe  to  come  to  a  reduccion  hd  founded  for  them  at 
the  place  named  BemoUnos,  within  the  limits  of  El  Chaco  itself, 
and  at  a  short  distance  of  Remolinos  city,  now  named  Villa 
Franca.  The  tribe  with  which  this  arrangement  was  made  was 
the  Mbocobi  tribe ;  and  Governor  Fernandez  gave  them  houses, 
and  provided  them  with  instructors.  These  were  Fray  Eamon 
Alvarez,  Fray  Justo  Fleitas,  and  others.  The  chnrch  built 
there  was  dedicated  under  the  advocation  of  8an  Francisco 
Solano, 

This  reduccmi,  settled  in  1776,  did  not  reach  the  degree  of 
stability  which  it  had  afterwards,  until  the  arrival  of  the  new 
Governor,  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  who  took  special  pains 
in  promoting  its  advancement,  as  shown  by  official  papers  of 
March  6th,  and  May  25th,  1778,  and  July  2d,  1779.  No  other 
Indian  settlement  has  cost  more  money  and  sacrifices  to  the 
Paraguayan  people  than  this  one  of  Remolinos;  and  in  spite  of 
the  continual  disturbances,  and  Indian  wars  of  posterior  times, 
it  was  still  flourishing  under  the  administration  of  Dictator 
Francia. 

Governor  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  being  in  earnest 
in  his  desire  to  people  the  Paraguayan  Chaco,  founded  in 
1782  another  rcfZi^cctow,  which  he  gave  to  Indians  of  El  Ohaco 
belonging  to  the  Toba  nation.  This  settlement  was  situated 
down  the  river  within  the  San  Antonio  district,  at  El  Chaco; 
and  it  was  erected  at  the  recjuest  of  the  Indians  themselves,  who 
had  jasked  for  it,  and  desired  to  be  taught  the  Christian  religion. 
Everything  necessary  for  the  foundation  and  support  of  this 
new  7'educcion,  as  for  instance,  the  stock  of  cattle  required  to 
feed  the  Indians,  the  houses  for  them  to  dwell,  the  church  which 
they  ought  to  attend,  and  the  pastor  or  missionary  priest  who 
had  to  instruct  them,  and  who  was  Fray  Antonio  Bogasin,  was 
furnished  and  supplied  by  the  people  of  La  Asuncion  at  their 
own  expense.  The  foundation  of  this  Indian  colony  was  re- 
corded in  official  papers,  kept,  in  our  archives,  and  dated  Feb- 
ruary 9th,  June  12th,  and  April  9th,  1782. 


35 

Another  colony  of  this  kind  was  founded  afterwards  by  Para- 
guayan citizens,  witliin  the  same  territory  of  El  Chaco.  The 
place  selected  now  was  the  one  named  ''  Naranjay,"  where  the 
same  priest,  Father  13ogasin,  labored  as  a  missionary.  The 
Indians  left  the  settlement  in  1790,  owing  to  their  disinclination 
to  work ;  but  they  came  back  to  it  in  1791,  under  the  administra- 
tion of  Governor  Intendant  Don  Joaquin  Aloz.  The  colony 
has  been  in  existence  until  a  few  years  ago,  at  an  immense  cost 
on  the  part  of  our  people  ;  but  the  Indians  finally  abandoned  it, 
and  Avithdrew  to  the  interior  of  El  Chaco. 

Antonio  Flecha,  who  was  a  citizen  of  La  Asuncion,  and  one 
of  the  oldest  settlers  in  El  Chaco,  kept  there  for  many  years 
some  agricultural  establishments  founded  by  him  for  the  purpose 
to  attract  the  Guaicuru  Indians,  whom  he  tried  by  every  jjossible 
means,  and  at  his  own  expense,  to  bring  to  a  Christian  civilized  life. 

The  Paraguayan  priest  and  missionary  Don  Francisco 
Amancio  Gonzalez,  who  was  the  curate  of  the  town  named 
Emboscada,  founded  with  his  own  resources  and  a^short  dona- 
tion of  the  members  of  his  parish,  another  colony,  or  redticcion, 
a  large  one  in  this  case,  within  the  limits  of  El  Chaco.  The 
place  selected  was  the  one  named  Eemolinos,  wliei'e  now  stands 
the  first  western  town,  or  Villa  Occidental.  The  colonists  were 
Indians  of  the  Lenguas,  Cocolos,  Machicuis,  Enimagas,  Cocha- 
botes,  Pitilagas,  and  Tobas  nations ;  whom  from  178G  Father 
Gonzalez  had  been  catechising  with  great  perseverance  and  zeal. 
He  succeeded  in  making  there  a  very  flourishing  establishment, 
which  lasted  for  many  years,  and  in  which  he  consumed  his 
large  fortune.  All  of  this  appears  from  official  documents  we 
have  examined. 

Besides,  the  foundation  of  the  aforesaid  different  colonies  or 
reducciones,  established  and  supported  within  El  Chaco  by  the 
people  of  Paraguay,  and  with  Paraguayan  money  alone,  thus 
proving  the  authority  and  jurisdiction  of  Paraguay  over  that 
territory,  and  the  actual  uninterrupted  exercise  by  her  of  the 
same  power,  there  are  other  acts  which  can  be  cited  to  confirm 
our  views. 

In  1792,  Governor  Don  Joacpiin  Aloz  erected  a  fortress  on 
the  I'araguayan  side  of  the  nortiiern  frontier,  for  tlie  avowed  pur- 


36 

pose,  not  only  of  proving  for  the  security  of  that  teri-'itory,  and 
making  it  safe  against  any  hostile  invasion,  but  also  of  estab- 
lishing a  landmark  showing  "  that  the  right  bank  of  the  Para- 
guay river  belonged  de  facto  and  de  jure  to  the  Province  of 
Paraguay." 

For  the  building  of  that  fortress,  Governor  Aloz  sent  there 
Major  Don  Jose  Antonio  Zavala,  of  Delgadillo,  with  the  men 
and  the  material  required  ;  and  this  officer  carrying  into  efiFect 
the  work  entrusted  to  him,  erected  Fort  Borbon,  now  called  Fort 
Olinipo,  which  stands  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Paraguay  river, 
on  the  hills  named  the  "  Three  Brothers  "  {Tres  Ilermanos),  a 
little  below  the  mouth  of  the  Blanco  river.  The  works  were 
fiiuished  during  that  very  year ;  and  from  that  time  till  now,  a 
Paraguayan  garrison  has  always  been  kept  at  that  fort,  without 
anybody,  either  before  or  after  the  independence  of  Paraguay, 
or  in  the  name  of  Buenos  Ayres,  or  of  any  other  foreign  power  or 
nation,  having  ever  made  any  objection  to  it.  The  existence  of 
a  fortress  of  that  kind  fully  shows  the  exercise  by  Paraguay  of 
military  jurisdiction  on  the  territory  on  which  it  stands,  on 
the  right  bank  of  that  river ;  and  as  no  objection  or  contradic- 
tion on  the  part  of  any  other  Government  has  ever  been  present. 
ed,  the  result  is  that  it  constitutes  perfect  evidence  "of  the  right 
of  sovereignty  and  dominion  of  the  Kepublic  of  Paraguay  over 
the  territory  of  El  Chaco. 

In  addition' to  these  facts  relating  to  towns  and  fortifications 
built  up  within  El  Chaco,  by  Paraguay,  with  Paraguayan  money, 
some  mention  is  to  be  made  of  the  several  expeditions  fitted  out 
and  started  from  La  Asuncion,  at  no  less  sacrifice  of  its  inhab- 
itants, for  the  purpose  of  surveying  and  exploring  that  terri- 
tory. 

One  of  those  expeditions  is  the  one  sent  for  the  exploration  of 
the  Pilcomayo  river,  under  the  charge  of  the  Jesuit  Fathers 
Patimo  and  Niebla,  who  went  a  distance  of  more  than  250 
leagues.  The  expedition  consisted  of  two  vessels,  and  did  its 
work  in  1721. 

Another  was  the  one  entrusted  to  Colonel  Don  Jose  Espinola, 
to  reonnoitre  and  explore  the  interior  of  El  Chaco.  He  started 
in  1794,  with  a  hirge  body  of  men,  and  went  as  far  as  the  Prov- 


37 

ince  of  Salta,  from  whence  he  came  back,  travelling  across  the 
territory  in  several  directions.  A  jonrnal  of  this  travel,  giving 
minute  particulars  about  it,  was  made  by  that  officer. 

The  Argentine  Eepublic  cannot  be  ignorant  of  any  of  these 
two  expeditions  made  by  Paraguay,  at  her  own  expense,  and 
must  have  in  its  archives  sufficient  evidence  of  the  same,  as  we 
have  in  ours.  For  this  reason,  we  need  not  dwell  any  longer 
upon  this  point. 

When  the  Colonial  Government  disappeared,  and  Paraguay 
proclaimed  her  independence,  and  this  independence  was  recog- 
nized by  the  Argentine  Government,  and  by  other  Governments 
both  of  America  and  Europe,  it  was  but  natural  and  lawful  that 
she  became  possessed,  clejure  and  de  facto,  of  the  same  territo- 
rial right  that  used  to  belong  to  her  while  she  was  a  province 
under  the  dependence  of  Spain. 

In  conformity  with  the  law  we  invoke,  the  Republic  of  Paraguay 
continued  in  the  legal  possession  of  her  full  authority  and  juris- 
dcition  over  El  Chaco.  She  did  so,  not  only  by  maintaininga  garri- 
son at  Fort  Olimpo,  but  by  keeping  other  military  posts,  as  for 
instance,  Fort  "Formosa,"  "  Fort  Orange,"  "Fort  Monte  Claro," 
and  "  Fort  Santa  Elena,"  all  within  El  Chaco.  These  military 
establishments  were  carefully  preserved  by  the  Government  of 
Dictator  Francia,  as  shown  by  official  documents  and  the  cor- 
respondence between  the  Dictator  and  the  respective  officers  who 
commanded  there,  and  also  by  Don  Carlos  Antonio  Lopez,  the 
first  President  of  the  Eepublic.  President  Lopez  directed  also 
some  new  rural  establishments,  and  some  other  settlements  of 
other  kinds  to  be  founded  within  the  same  territory  of  El  Chaco. 
One  of  them  was  erected  opposite  to  La  Asuncion,  and  succeed- 
ed lately  in  giving  shelter  to  a  numerous  population.  It  had  a 
church,  which  was  dedicated  under  the  advocation  of  San  Ve- 
nancio. 

Subsequently,  in  1854,  under  the  administration  of  the  same 
President,  the  colony  of  "Nuevo  Burdeos  "  [Neiv  Bordeaux), 
now  called  "  Villa  Occidental,"  was  founded.  The  establish- 
ment of  that  colony,  with  the  character  of  such,  was  made  with 
funds  belonging  to  the  nation  ;  and,  although  the  colonists  of 
foreign  origin  soon  went  away,  for  reasons  which  are  not  to  be 


38 

imputed  to  us,  tlie  native  ones  remained,  and  caused  the  colony 
to  flourish.  Hence,  it  is  shown  that  Paraguay,  for  many  years 
suhse(|uent  to  her  independence,  not  only  accomplished  within 
the  territory  of  El  Chaco,  which  was  her  territory,  numerous 
acts  of  possession,  but  fulfilled  all  the  requisites  necessary,  or 
conducive  to  assert  and  maintain  her  sovereignty  over  that  por- 
tion of  El  Chaco,  Villa  Occidental  was  founded  at  the  expense 
of  the  national  treasury,  and  by  natives  of  Paraguay  who  settled 
there,  and  never  went  away  ;  and  this  was  done  with  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  Argentine  G-overnmeut,  and  with  no  objection  or 
opposition  on  its  part.  This  is  by  itself  conclusive  evidence, 
that  the  Argentine  Government  had  not  any  right  on  the  Para- 
guayan Chaco. 

And  such  a  state  of  things  has  remained  unchanged  until  the 
present  time,  notwithstanding  the  occupation  now  of  the  said 
Villa  Occidental  by  Argentine  forces ;  because  this  occupa- 
tion has  no  other  legal  character  than  the  one  agreed  to,  in  the 
preliminaries  of  peace  of  June  20th,  1870. 

The  conclusion  to  be  drawn  from  all  that  has  been  said  is, 
that  the  territory  of  El  Chaco,  from  the  Bermejo  Eiver  to 
Bahia  Negra,  always  was  occupied  by  Paraguay,  by  virtue  of 
the  dominion  and  authority,  which  Paraguay  has  over  it ;  and 
that  this  sovereign  power  has  been  exercised,  either  by  the 
founding  thereof  those  Indian  establishments  or  colonies, 
named  in  Spanish  reducciones,  or  by  the  erecting  of  fortifica- 
tions and  military  posts,  within  the  limits  of  the  same  terri- 
tory both  before  and  after  the  independence,  all  of  this,  as  it 
has  been  said,  without  the  Argentine  Republic  liaving  ever 
made  any  objection,  or  opposition  to  it. 

The  foundation  of  the  colony  of  "  Nuevo  Burdeos,'"  now  a 
town,  {Villa),  as  above  said,  (because  tbe  colonial  character  of 
the  settlement  was  given  up,  and  the  more  formal  one  of  a 
town  ( Villa),  was  granted  to  it),  was  made  with  natives  of 
Paraguay,  at  a  time  in  which  Paraguay  was  in  direct  communi- 
cation with  the  Argentine  Republic,  and  without  any  objec- 
tion, or  much  less  contradiction,  on  the  part  of  its  Government. 
This  fiict  is  by  itself,  under  the  circumstances,  and  besides  all 
other  proofs,  sufficient  evidence  that  the  Republic  of  Paraguay 


39 

has  an  uiiqnestionable  right  over  the  territory  which  the  Ar- 
gentine Eepublic,  with  neither  right  nor  reason,  has  attempted 
to  dispute.  The  Argentine  Eepublic  has  no  other  title  than 
the  treaty  of  Alliance  of  1815 ;  but  this  treaty  became  inopera- 
tive and  obsolete,  as  far  as  the  designation  of  limits  is  con- 
cerned. So  the  Government  of  the  Brazihan  Empire  under- 
stood,, aod  so,  when  the  treaty  of  limits  between  Paraguay  and 
the  said  Empire  was  concluded,  the  Brazilian  Government  ad- 
mitted Paraguay  to  discuss  all  questions  relative  to  limits,  with- 
out any  distinction,  and  overlooked  entirely  the  treaty  of  Al- 
liance. 

The  fact  that  Buenos  Ayres  was,  before  the  independence, 
the  capital  of  the  Viceroyalty  of  La  Plata  Eiver,  could  not  give 
that  City  the  right,  nor  the  power,  to  fix  the  limits  of  another 
province,  of  the  same  origin,  which  had  proclaimed  its  inde- 
pendence, and  had  asserted  its  right  to  govern  itself  and  to  be 
the  sole  owner  of  its  own  destinies.  This  was  the  case  with  the 
province  of  Paraguay,  which  had  declared  her  independence  from 
Spain,  and  also  from  Buenos  Ayres,  and  had  initiated  her  life, 
by  being  in  possession  of  the  whole  dominion  she  used  to  have 
when  dependent  from  the  Crown  of  Spain. 

As  the  territory  of  El  Chaco  has  never  been  abandoned  by 
our  Governments,  eitber  before,  or  after  the  independence,  the 
pretension  of  the  Argentine  Plenipotentiary,  to  consider  it  as  a 
vague  limit,  cannot  but  be  adjudged  as  destitute  of  foundation. 

And  the  pretension  of  the  Argentine  Eepublic,  its  alleged 
dominion  over  that  territory,  upon  the  assertion  that  it  was  the 
patrimony  of  the  political  community  which  took  the  name  of 
United  Provinces  of  the  La  Plata  Eiver,  is  not  less  groundless. 

The  right  reserved  to  Paraguay,  by  the  Alliance  itself  in 
the  preliminary  agreement  of  peace,  was  merely  a  recognition 
of  the  principles  of  International  Law,  and  a  logical  conclusion 
from  the  treaty  of  the  triple  Alliance,  according  to  whose  words 
the  war  was  never  made  against  Paraguay,  but  against  the 
Government  of  Marshal  Lopez. 

So  it  was,  that  as  soon  as  Marshal  Lopez  died,  the  Alliance 
entered  into  the  preliminaries  of  peace  above  mentioned,  and 
exjjressly  stipulated  that  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay  would  have 


-   40 

the  liberty  and  the  right  to  propose  wliat  she  might  deem  best 
for  her,  on  the  matter  of  limits,  and  others,  but  specially,  in 
connection  with  the  territory  of  El  Chaco.  It  is  therefore  in- 
dubitable that  any  action  of  one  of.  those  allies,  tending  to 
restrict  that  right,  granted  by  all  of  them  to  the  Republic  of 
Paraguay  can  have  no  legal  force.  The  Argentine  Eepublic 
having  not  accepted  then,  even  by  the  way  of  compromise,  the 
line  of  the  Pilcnmayo  Eiver,  cannot  now  preclude  the  discus- 
sion about  the  tract  of  land  betwen  the  Bermejo  and  Pilcomayo 
rivers. 

The  main  purpose  of  the  treaty  of  Alliance  of  May  lst,€865, 
was  waging  war  against  the  Government  of  Marshal  Lopez 
until  its  final  overthrow.  The  war  was  not  against  the  Para- 
guayan people ;  and  so  the  provisory  Government  of  the  re- 
public recognized  and  accepted,  in  the  preliminary  agreement 
of  peace,  what  was  called  the  substance  of  the  said  treaty,  or 
in  other  words  that  the  hostilities  meant  only  opposition  to 
Marshal  Lopez.  And  as  the  same  agreement  contains  the 
circumstance  that  Paraguay  was  given  the  right  to  propose  all 
the  modifications  of  that  treaty,  deemed  by  her  to  be  advisable,  in 
her  own  interest,  the  conclusion  is  that,  the  questions  on  limits 
remained  exactly  as  they  were  before  the  war. 

Although  the  reasons  already  explained  fully  sujiport  the 
rights  of  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay,  as  claimed. before,  she  is, 
however,  ready  either  to  accept  an  arbitration  as  to  the  por- 
tion of  territory  which  extends  from  the  Bermejo  river  until 
Bahia  Xegra;  or,  to  consent,  yielding  to  her  earnest  desire  to 
make  peace  with  the  Argentine  Eepublic,  to  settle  the  question 
friendly  by  means  of  a  compromise,  and  fix  tin?  line  of  the  Pil- 
comayo river  to  be  the  boundary  between  both  countries.  In 
either  case,  the  rights  of  Bolivia  are  to  be  reserved. 

The  dominions  of  Paraguay  within  El  Chaco  extend  as  far  as 
the  southern  portion  of  the  Bermejo  river;  and  if  it  is  true  that 
the  King  of  Spain,  by  a  royal  ordinance  of  1617,  caused  the 
province  of  Paraguay  to  be  divided  from  the  provinces  of  the 
La  Plata  river,  and  gave  to  the  general  and  collective  govern- 
ment of  the  latter  the  City  of  Concepcion  dela  BuenaEsperanza, 
such  a  decision  was  promptly  countermanded,  and  Paraguay  re- 


41 

sumed  her  former  rights,  as  sliown  by  lier  action  in  regard  to  the 
settlements  of  Timbo,  which  subsequently  deserved  the  approval 
of  the  King.  It  i-s  therefore  with  justice  that  Paraguay  can 
claim  to  have  jurisdiction  on  the  whole  territory  this  side  of  the 
Bermejo  river,  which  came  again  into  her  possession  after  the 
repeal  of  the  ordinance  of  1617.  The  book  of  Father  Bautista, 
quoted  by  the  Argentine  Plenipotentiary,  cannot  be  used  as  evi- 
dence, because  it  refers  to  the  said  ordinance  before  it  was 
amended. 

But  Paraguay  not  only  founded  again  the  reduccionov  colony 
of  Timbo,  but  continued  to  establish  the  others  already  enume- 
rated by  us.  And  in  view  of  these  facts,  and  of  the  uninter- 
rupted possession  by  Paraguay  of  those  different  settlements 
within  the  territory  of  El  Chaco,  Ijelonging  to  her,  we  have  to 
say  that  the  "  Geographical  and  Historical  Memoir  "  (M.S.)  of 
Azara,  to  which  the  Argentine  Minister  refers  in  his  "Memo- 
randum," neither  has  nor  can  have  the  seal  of  truth.  The 
passage  quoted  from  that  memoir  is  to  the  effect  that  "  the 
"  boundary  of  Paraguay  by  the  west  is  the  Paraguay  river,  since 
"  Paraguay  has  no  possessions  at  El  Chaco." 

The  Argentine  Minister  himself  states  that  this  ''Memoir" 
was  written  in  1T93,  and,  consequentl}',  it  is  strange  that  the 
author  thereof  asserted  that  Paraguay  had  no  possessions  at  El 
Chaco,  and  committed  the  grave  error  to  ignore  all  the  posses- 
sions which  Paraguay  had  had  there  for  many  years  before 
1793. 

The  ofiicial  correspondence  which  took  place  in  1813  between 
the  Executive  Junta  of  Paraguay  and  the  Executive  Junta  of 
the  United  Provinces  of  La  Plata  river,  prove  nothing  against 
Paraguay  in  regard  to  limits.  That  correspondence  was  for  the 
jiurpose  to  get  inforuiation  about  the  central  portion  of  El 
Chaco,  through  which  some  roads  and  other  public  works  were 
intended  to  be  made  by  both  nations,  which  were  then  in  the 
best  harmony.  But,  as  nothing  could  be  done  without  the  con- 
sent of  Paraguay,  for  the  reason  that  a  portion  of  that  territory 
was  within  her  dominions,  it  was  but  natural  for  her  to  be  asked 
the  information  above  alluded  to.  And  Paraguay,  in  furnish- 
ing that  information,  as  requested,  neither  implicitly  nor  expli- 
6 


42 

citly  recognized  auy  territorial  right  of  Buenos  Ayres.  She 
merely  paid  homage  to  the  friendly  feelings  which  connected 
her  with  a  neighboring  sister  nation,  and  to  her  desire  to  pro- 
mote the  mutual  benefit  resulting  from  her  intercourse  with  a 
people  to  whom,  from  the  very  first  days  of  the  independence, 
she  never  ceased  to  give  the  most  conclusive  eyidence  of  her 
good  friendship. 

The  Argentine  Plenipotentiary,  in  his  "  Memorandum,^'  in 
referring  to  this  correspondence,  assumes  that  it  imports  the 
recognition  of  the  jurisdiction  of  Buenos  Ayres  over  El  Chaco, 
or,  at  least,  that  Paraguay  declared  thereby  not  to  have  any 
right  over  that  region. 

We  have  carefully  examined  the  aforesaid  correspondence,  and 
certainly  can  say  that  from  no  portion  of  it  the  conclusion  can 
be  drawn  that  Paraguay  did  ever  make  such  a  recognition, 
either  implicit  or  explicit,  of  any  right  of  Buenos  Ayres  over 
the  Paraguayan  Chaco  ;  and  much  less  that  Paraguay  declared 
the  said  territory  not  to  be  a  portion  of  her  dominions. 

What  the  correspondence  proves  well,  on  the  contrar}^,  is  that 
Paraguay  has  made  great  sacrifices  and  incurred  a  vast  amount 
of  expense  to  maintain  herself  in  possession  of  the  said  territory. 

So  she  did  under  the  administration  of  Dictator  Francia,  de 
facto  and  de  jure,  by  maintaining  the  military  posts  referred  to, 
which  imply  an  actual  exercise  of  sovereignt}^  at  the  places  of 
their  location. 

The  Argentine  Plenipotentiary,  in  referring  in  his  "  memor- 
andum "  to  the  administration  of  Dictator  Francia,  says  that 
Paraguay  at  that  time  only  kept  guards  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  Paraguay  river,  but  did  not  further  the  population  thereof. 
But  this,  we  claim,  even  if  proved,  cannot  extinguish  our  legiti- 
mate right,  since  possession  was  always  maintained. 

The  historical  description  of  Paraguay  written  by  Morlas, 
which  also  has  been  mentioned  by  the  Argentine  Minister,  does 
not  give  any  light  upon  this  (piestion.  The  text  alluded  to 
reads  as  follows:  "By  thcAvcst  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay  has 
no  boundaries.  The  Paraguay  river  may  be  deemed  to  be  the 
limit,  since,  up  to  that  time^  Paraguay  had  no  possessions  on 
JEl  Cliaco."     But  this  passage  proves  nothing :  first,  because  if 


43 

Paraguay  had  no  limits  toward  the  Avest,  the  Paraguay  river 
could  not  be  described  as  such  without  contradiction  ;  second, 
because  the  statement  that  she  had  no  possessions  at  El  Chaco 
Avas  an  error,  as  shown  before.  Paraguay  always  maintained, 
without  any  interruption  within  that  territory,  the  several  pos- 
sessions referred  to. 

President  Don  Carlos  Antonio  Lopez  continued  to  maintain 
our  sovereignty  over  the  territory  of  El  Chaco,  and  more  spe- 
cially this  side  of  the  left  bank  of  the  Bermejo  river. 

In  1854:,  besides  continuing  the  possession  of  all  the  military 
posts  aljjOve  mentioned,  he  caused  several  establishments,  agri- 
cultural »and  industrial,  to  be  opened  there.  He  erected  the 
Church  of  San  Venancio  opposite  to  La  Asuncion.  He  founded 
the  colony  of  Nueva  Burdeos,  now  Villa  Occidental,  whose  popu- 
lation increased  by  the  going  there  of  natives  of  the  country 
and  Avhose  possession  never  was  abandoned  until  the  time  in 
which,  during  the  war,  Marshal  Lopez  ordered  it,  as  well  as 
other  cities,  and  even  the  capital  itself,  to  be  A-acated. 

The  Argentine  Eepublic  never  made  any  objection,  during 
Francia's  and  Lopez's  administrations,  to  the  sovereignty  exer- 
cised by  Paraguay  over  El  Gliaco  ;  nor  did  it  ever  produce  any 
title,  as  it  does  not  do  either  at  the  present  time,  to  support  its 
claim  to  that  territory.  It  confines  itself  to  pretend  that  it  is 
the  only  one  having  right  to  the  dominions  which  Avere  of  the 
King  of  Spain,  and  makes  efforts  to  place  Paraguay  in  the  con- 
dition of  a  spurious  issue,  having  not  any  of  the  rights  success- 
fully iuA'oked  by  the  other  nations  of  the  same  origin,  upon 
which  they  acquired  and  possess  at  present  the  same  territory 
as  belonged  to  them  under  the  Spanish  rule. 

The  several  arguments,  all  of  them  worthless,  Avhich  have 
been  presented  in  that  respect,  are  fully  at  variance  both  Avith 
the  principles  of  international  laAv  and  Avith  the  amity  and  good 
Avill  Avhich  ought  to  be  preserved  among  nations  AA'hich  are  sis- 
ters by  their  origin,  and  whose  neighborhood  deserves  every  kind 
of  international  guarantee  to  be  afforded  between  themseWes. 

Both  in  the  question  about  the  Misiones  Territory  and  in 
the  present  one,  Ave  are  told  that  the  limits  of  Paraguay  Avere 
settled  by  the  Argentine  Congress,  and  that  Paraguay  did  not 


44 

take  part  in  the  independence,  and  cannot  be  considered  as  a 
successor  of  the  Spanish  monarch. 

Neither  of  the  two  assertions  is  correct ;  and  if  true,  neither 
of  them  would  afford  strong  foundation  to  the  argument  we  are 
refuting.  If  the  action  taken  by  the  Congress  of  the  United 
Provinces  of  La  Plata  river  ought  to  have  prevailed,  then  the 
Argentine  Grovernment  was  wrong  in  remaining  for  more  than 
half  a  century  Avithout  exercising  the  right  given  to  it.  And 
if  Paraguay,  for  having  taken  no  part  in  the  independence,  were 
to  be  excluded  from  succeeding  the  Spanish  crown  as  to  the 
right  of  dominion  over  the  whole  territory  formerly  belonging 
to  her,  then  not  even  the  city  of  La  Asuncion  could  be  rightly 
considered  as  belonging  to  the  Eepublic. 

But  it  is  time  ent)ugli  to  finish  with  these  hypotheses  which 
have  compelled  us  to  extend  our  argument,  and  then  let  us  pro- 
ceed to  consider  the  matter  under  the  standpoint  of  legality. 

The  Republic  of  Paraguay  cannot  be  blamed  by  the  Argentine 
Eepublic,. because  of  the  position  she  assumed  during  the  first 
days  of  the  independence.  The  blame  belongs  to  the  Govern- 
ment which  Buenos  Ayres  had  at  that  time. 

The  Executive  Junta  of  Buenos  Ayres  did  not  deal  with 
Paraguay,  at  the  time  of  the  agitation  for  the  independence, 
with  the  sincerity  which  it  ought  to ;  and  Paraguay,  who,  like 
other  peoples,  had  opened  her  eyes,  did  not  feel  disposed  to  ex- 
change one  yoke  for  another. 

This  we  say  upon  good  grounds.  The  Government  of  Buenos 
Ayres,  at  that  time,  wanted,  under  the  color  of  liberty,  to  main- 
tain Paraguay  in  subjection ;  and  Paraguay  did  not  consent  to  it, 
since  she  had  the  same  right  as  Buenos  Ayres  to  be  free  and  in- 
dependent, and  to  belong  to  herself,  and  to  be  ruled  according 
to  the  sovereign  will  of  her  own  people. 

A  proof  of  this  assertion  shall  be  found  in  the  following  pas- 
sage of  the  note  that  General  Belgraho  addressed  to  the  Govern- 
ment of  Buenos  Ayres  after  his  defeat  at  Paraguari.  It  reads  as 
follows : 

"  I  hope  Your  Excellency  will  be  convinced  of  all  that  I  have 
stated,  that  it  is  necessary  to  issue  a  decree  for  the  conquest 


45 

of  Paraguay,  in  order  that  His  Majesty,  Don  Fernando  VII, 
loses  nothing.     May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 

"  Camp  south  of  ^the  Tabicuari  river,  Paso  de  Dona  Lorenza, 
January  24,  1811. 

"Manuel  Belgkaxo." 

This  passage  shows  the  most  refined  hypocrisy  of  the  Buenos 
Ayres  Government  in  dealing  with  Paraguay,  and  consequently 
nothing  done  by  the  latter  at  the  aforesaid  time  can  be  imputed 
to  her  fault. 

Paraguay,  knowing  the  trap  laid  for  her,  addressed,  through 
her  own  Government  to  the  Government  of  Buenos  Ayres,  on 
the  20th  day  of  July,  1811,  the  note  from  which  we  take  the 
following  :  "  The  condition  of  things  in  the  province  was  such 
as  to  make  her  seriously  think,  in  regaining  the  rights  which 
had  been  taken  from  lier,  to  free  herself  both  from  the 
oppression  in  which  she  formerly  was,  and  which  was  still 
heavier  for  the  lack  of  concert  in  the  administration  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, and  from  the  new  slavery  with  which  she  felt  herself 
threatened.  *  *  *  *  Tliis  is  the  reason  why 
she,  by  herself  and  by  her  own  resolute  efforts,  has  asserted  her 
liberty  and  entered  into  the  full  enjoyment  of  all  her  rights.  If 
anybody  thinks  that  her  intention  has  been  to  place  herself  at  the 
disposal  of  others,  and  make  her  fate  dependent  upon  the  will 
which  is  not  her  own,  he  shall  be  mistaken.  Otherwise  noth- 
ing would  have  been  obtained  by  her,  and  her  sacrifices  would 
merely  result  in  exchanging  the  old  chains  for  new  ones,  and 
the  former  master  for  another  one.  JS'either  your  Excellency 
nor  any  just  and  equitable  observer  will  find  strange  that  under 
the  circumstances  now  surrounding  the  national  afl:airs,  and 
with  no  possibility  to  foresee  the  result  of  what  is  passing,  the 
people  of  Paraguay  show  themselves  jealous  to  maintain  their 
new-born  liberty,  after  having  had  the  courage  to  regain  it. 
The  Paraguayan  people  know  that  liberty  can  sometimes  be  ob- 
tained and  conquered ;  but  once  lost,  it  is  not  equally  easy  £o 
recover  it.  Nothing  of  this  means  any  suspicion  that  your  Ex- 
cellency be  capable  to  shelter  in  his  heart  any  intention  wrong, 
unjust,  or  at  variance  with  equity;  and  far  from  that,  this 
Junta,  which,  on  the  other  hand,  does  nothing  but  defend  the 


46 

liberty  and  the  right  of  the  province,  flatters  itself  that  yonr 
Excellency  will  applaud  the  noble  feelings  above  alluded  to,  and 
will  recognize  what  is  to  be  expected  in  the  Interest  of  our  com- 
mon cause — of  a  people  who  speak  with  such  a  frankness  and 
magnanimity." 

Upon  the  face  of  this  passage,  can  it  be  said  that  Paraguay  is 
not  entitled  to  exactly  the  same  rights  acquired  by  the  other 
States  ?     Certainly  not. 

Another  passage  of  the  said  note  reads  as  follows  : 

"It  might  be  said  that  under  the  present  circumstances 
Paraguay  has  done  everything  she  could  and  ought  to  do ; 
because,  notwithstanding  the  incalculable  harm  done  her  by 
the  last  civil  war  (the  invasion  by  General  Belgrano),  she  sets 
all  this  aside  and  forgives  everything  for  the  love  of  the  com- 
mon good  and  prosperity."' 

The  Junta  of  Buenos  Ayres  answered  this  note  of  the  new 
Government  of  Paraguay  on  the  28th  of  August  of  the  same 
year,  applauding  the  action  of  Paraguay,  and  the  attitude  taken 
by  her  in  the  interest  of  the  common  cause,  recognizing  her  in- 
dependence ;  and  declaring  solemnly  that  the  republic  had  the 
power  to  rule  herself  and  administer  her  own  Government  inde- 
pendently from  the  Government  of  Buenos  Ayres. 

Some  other  notes  could  be  referred  to  in  this  point  to  prove 
that  the  Republic  of  Paraguay  cannot  be  deemed  guilty  of  indif- 
ference at  that  critical  period  of  the  independence  ;  but  they 
were  quoted  when  the  question  about  the  Misiones  Territory 
was  discussed,  and  their  repetition  here  seems  to  be  unnecessary. 

Let  us  now  pass,  since  it  has  been  proved  that  there  is  no  rea- 
son to  deprive  Paraguay  of  the  rights  which  all  other  States,  in 
their  own  cases,  secured  for  themselves  to  close  our  argument 
by  making  a  concise  statement  of  the  reasons  alleged  to  ignore 
our  possession  of  El  Chaco,  and  of  the  answers  by  which  they 
are  refuted. 

'The  arguments  are  that  all  the  settlements  made  by  Para- 
guay in  El  Chaco  were  transient ;  that  the  military  posts  were 
not  permanent,  and  that  for  the  space  of  some  centuries  the 
whole  territory  occupied  there  by  Paraguay,  for  the  space  of 
many  centuries,  never  exceeded  fifty  square  leagues. 


47 

The  answer  to»these  three  unjust  suppositions  is,  that  such 
settlements  consisting  of  towns  or  pueblos,  have  been  perma- 
nently maintained  by  Paraguay,  and  some  of  them  rebuilt  and 
peopled  again  as  it  was  the  case  with  Villa  Occidental,  which 
still  exists,  when  partially  or  totally  abandoned  for  different 
circumstances.  That  the  military  posts  were  permanent,  as 
shown  by  the  existence  of  Fort  Olimpo,  Fort  Orange  and 
others,  which  always  had  the  proper  garrison.  And  as  to  the 
point  of  the  fifty  leagues,  if  such  an  argument  could  be  of  any 
use,  we  might  retort  it  by  saying  that  the  Argentine  Republic, 
which  never  has  occupied  even  a  square  yard  north  the  Ber- 
mejo  river,  and  has,  therefore,  less  riglit  than  Paraguay,  pre- 
tends, nevertheless,  not  to  admit  any  discussion  in  regard  to  the 
whole  tract  betvreen  the  Bermejo  and  the  Pilcomayo  rivers. 

We  think  that  our  right  over  the  territory  of  El  Chaco  has 
been  sufficiently  proved.  We  have  showed  it  by  means  both  of 
legal  titles  and  by  the  fact  of  our  uninterrupted  possession  of 
the  same  territory.  That  possession  has  cost  Paraguay  and  her 
people  considerable  sacrifice  of  money  and  other  kind,  and  its 
continuity  and  efficiency  appear,  as  we  have  shown,  from  our 
keeping  there  the  military  forces  with  which  we  have  checked 
the  hostile  action  of  the  heathen  inhabitantsof  the  interior  por- 
tion of  it,  and  from  the  foundation  by  us,  within  its  limits  of 
several  reclucciones,  or  Indian  colonies,  to  convert  those  savages 
to  Christian  life  and  civilization. 

It  is  therefore  impossible  for  Paraguay  to  give  up  entirely  her 
sovereignty  upon  the  territory  this  side  of  tlie  left  hand  of  the 
Bermejo  river,  and  accept  either  that  no  discussion  can  be 
opened  in  regard  to  the  tract  of  land  between  these  two  rivers 
named  Bermejo  and  Pilcomayo,  or  to  consent  that  the  jiortion 
of  that  territory  north  of  Pilcomayo  river  is  the  only  one 
which  can  be  submitted  to  arbitration.  This  impossibility  looks 
still  greater  when  due  attention  is  paid  to  the  fact  that  the 
Argentine  Republic  is  not  willing  to  change  the  staiu  quo  of  the 
occupation  of  Villa  Occidental,  and  threatens  in  case  that  the  fact 
of  that  occupation  is  included  in  the  arbitration,  to  "claim  for  the 
value  of  the  improvements  of  the  town,  the  works  done  there  by 
the  Argentine  Government,  its  grants  ot  land,  and  the  heavy 


48 

expenses  incurred  by  the  same  Government  <from  the  time  of 
the  occupation  until  this  date  ;  or  in  other  words  for  having 
made  a  city,  properly  called  so,  of  what  merely  was  before  the 
war  a  Paraguayan  factory  or  garrison." 

It  might  be  said,  according  to  these  words,  that  the  Argentine 
Government  when  using  them,  did  not  know  what  Villa  Occi- 
dental was  at  that  time,  otherwise  it  would  have  been  impossible 
for  that  Government  to  use  a  language  of  that  kind. 

It  is  a  public  historical  fact  that  as  f?.r  back  as  1854,  Villa 
Occidental  was  a  town,  or  city,  perfectly  organized  as  such,  with 
a  great  many  inhabitants  engaged  in  agricultural  and  commer- 
cial business,  and  business  of  other  kind,  and  whose  Government 
was  administered  by  the  proper  authorities  both  military,  civil, 
and  ecclesiastical.  Its  evacuation  by  Paraguay  was  an  act  of 
war  ;  as  an  act  of  war  was  also  its  occupation  by  the  Argentine 
forces.  This  occupation  still  continues  in  the  same  way  as  the 
allied  forces  still  remain  within  the  territory  of  the  Republic, 
and  this  is  the  reason  why  the  Paraguayan  Government  has  not 
yet  been  able  to  reorganize  that  city. 

Paraguay  has  no  objection  to  a  settlement  of  these  questions 
either  by  arbitration,  if  it  embraces  the  whole  territory  between 
the  left  bank  of  the  Bermejo  river  and  Bahia  Negra,  or  by  a 
compromise  if  the  Pilcomayo  river  is  agreed  to  as  the  dividing 
line  between  the  two  countries,  the  rights  of  Bolivia  being  re- 
served in  either  case.  Nothing  short  of  these  two  propositions, 
which  are  the  only  ones  in  keeping  with  the  mutual  interests  of 
both  republics,  can  ])e  favorably  looked  at  Ijy  Paraguay.  Either 
of  the  two  methods  of  settlement  rests  upon  the  basis  of  the 
continued  possession  and  of  the  legal  titles,  above  spoken  of; 
and  if  the  Republic  of  Paraguay  did  not  produce  those  titles 
during  the  course  of  the  negotiation,  it  was  not  because  she  had 
not  them  in  her  possession,  nor  because  she  had  any  desire  to 
conceal  them,  but  merely  because,  from  the  very  beginning  of 
the  discussion  it  was  agreed  not  to  exhibit  any  papers,  because 
the  Argentine  Plenipotentiary  himself  suggested  to  avoid  judi- 
cial forms,  and  recommended  this  question  of  limits  to  be  ad- 
justed merely  in  an  amicable  and  friendly  way. 


49 


CONCLUSIONS. 


1st.  The  question  of  limits  as  to  the  Misiones  Territory  is 
now  dependent  upon  the  protocol  of  the  7th  of  May  ultimo, 
because,  if  the  provisions  of  said  protocol  are  not  carried  into 
effect  by  a  final  treaty,  Paraguay  shall  maintain  her  just  and 
sovereign  rights  upon  the  left  bank  of  the  Parana  river. 

2d.  The  right  of  possession  which  Paraguay  has  as  to  the 
Atajo  or  Cerrito  Island,  as  acknowledged  by  one  of  the  allied 
Governments,  cannot  be  modified  without  previously  adjusting 
the  question  of  El  Chaco. 

3d.  The  question  of  El  Chaco  is  to  be  adjusted  either  by 
arbitration,  if  the  territory  subjected  to  it  is  the  one  between 
the  Bermejo  river  and  Bahia  Negra  bay  ;  or  by  a  compromise, 
if  the  line  of  the  Pilcomayo  river  is  the  boundary  accepted  as 
final. 

4th.  The  Eepublic  of  Paraguay,  being  urged  by  feelings  of 
good  will  and  policy,  is  ready  to  sign  any  final  treaties  with  the 
Argentine  Eepublic,  based  as  proposed  ;  and  in  the  meantime 
she  will  keep  the  peace,  leaving  in  force  the  protest  of  Feb- 
ruary 18th,  1872. 

Asuncion,  October  31,  1873. 

JOSE  DEL  K.  MIRANDA. 


EXHIBITS. 


EXHIBIT  A. 

No.  1. 


TREATY  OF  LIMITS 


BETWEEN    THE 


and  tie  iif  iitiiic  h 


lie, 


FEBRUARY   3,   1876. 


NICOLAS   AVELLANEDA, 

President  of  the  Argentine  Republic, 

(to  all  foljom  i\tu  ^restuts  gljiill  tome : 
Greeting  ! 

Whereas,  between  the  Argentine  Republic  on  the  one  side  and 
the  Republic  of  Paraguay  on  the  other  side,  there  was  negotiated, 
concluded  and  signed  a  Treaty  of  Limits  at  the  City  of  Buenos 
Ayres  on  the  third  day  of  the  month  of  Februar}-  of  the  year  1876, 
through  the  action  of  Plenipotentiaries  duly  authorized  to  effect 
the  treaty,  the  contents  thereof  being  as  follows  : 

The  undersigned.  Plenipotentiaries  Ministers  of  the  Argentine 
Republic  and  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay,  appointed  by  their  re- 
spective governments  to  frame  the  Treaty  of  Limits  pending  be- 
tween both  Republics,  having  compared  their  respective  full  powers 
and  found  them  correct  and  in  due  form,  agreed  as  follows  : 

Article  L 
The  Republic  of  Paraguay  is  divided  on  the  Eastern  and  Southern 
parts  from  the  Argentine  Republic  by  the  middle  of  the  current  of 


64 

the  principal  channel  of  the  Parana  river  from  its  confluence  with 
the  Paraguay  river,  until  its  left  bank  becomes  one  of  the 
boundaries  of  the  Empire  of  Brazil,  the  Island  of  Apipe  belonging 
to  the  Argentine  Republic,  and  the  Island  of  Yacireta  to  the  Re- 
public of  Paraguay,,  as  was  declared  by  the  treaty  of  1856. 

Article  II. 
On  the  western  part  the  Republic  of  Paraguay  is  divided  from 
the  Argentine  Republic  by  the  middle  of  the  current  of  the  prin- 
cipal channel  of  the  Paraguay  river  from  its  confluence  with  the 
Parana  River,  the  territory  of  Chaco  being  definitely  acknowledged 
as  belonging  to  the  Argentine  Republic  as  far  as  the  principal 
channel  of  the  Pilcomayo  River  which  flows  into  the  Paraguay 
River  at  the  parallel  of  25°  20'  south  latitude,  according  to  the 
Moucher's  map,  or  25^  22'  according  to  Brayer's. 

Article  III. 
To  the  domain  of  the  Argentine  Republic  belongs  the  Island  of 
Atajo  or  Cerrito.  The  other  firm  islands  or  the  islands  liable  to  be 
overflowed  which  are  found  in  both  the  rivers  Parana  and  Paraguay, 
belong  either  to  the  Argentine  Republic  or  to  the  Republic  of 
Paraguay,  according  to  their  position  being  more  contiguous  to  the 
territory  of  either  of  the  Republics,  according  to  the  principles  of 
international  right  ruling  in  the  matter.  The  channel  between 
the  said  islands^  the  Island  of  Cerrito  inclusive,  is  common  for  the 
navigation  of  both  States. 

Article  IV. 

The  territory  included  between  the  principal  arm  of  the  Pil- 
comayo River  and  Bahia  Negra,  shall  be  considered  as  divided  into 
two  sections,  the  first  being  that  included  between  Bahia  Negra 
and  the  Verde  River  which  lies  at  the  parallel  of  23°  10"  south 
latitude  according  to  Moucher's  map  ;  and  the  second  section  in- 
cluded between  the  said  Verde  River  and  the  principal  arm  of  the 
Pilcomayo  River,  the  City  of  Villa  Occidental  being  included  in 
this  section. 

The  Argentine  Government  definitely  renounces  all  pretentions 
or  right  to  the  first  section. 


55 

The  ownership  or  right  to  the  territory  of  the  second  section,  in- 
cluding Villa  Occidental,  remains  submitted  to  the  final  decision  of 
arbitration. 

Article  V. 
The  two  high  contracting  parties  agree  to  elect  his  Excellency, 
the  President  of  the  United  States  of  America,  as  umpire  to  decide 
as  to  the  right  to  possess  the  second  section  of  the  territory  referred 
to  in  the  preceding  article. 

Article   VI. 
Within  the  term   of  sixty  days  from  the  exchange  of  the  present 
treat)',  the  contracting  parties  shall  address  themselves  jointly  or 
separately  to  the  umpire  appointed,  soliciting  his  acceptance. 

Article    VII. 
If  his  Excellency,  the  President  of  the  United  States,  does  not 
accept  the  office  of  umpire,  the  contracting  parties  shall  meet  to 
elect  another  umpire  within  the  sixty  days  following  the  receipt  of 
the  refusal   to  act,  and  if  any  of  the  parties  should  fail  to  meet  the 
other  within  the  term  appointed  to  make  the  appointment,  it  shall 
be  understood  as  being  definitely  made  by  the  party  who  should 
have  made  it,  and  information  given  to  that  effect  to  the  other  party. 
In  this  case,   the  decision  of  thp  umpire  will  be  as  fully  obligatory 
as  if  he  were  appointed  by  the  common  consent  of  the  two  parties, 
the  omission  of  one  of  them    amounting  to  a  delegation   to   the 
other  of  the  power  to  make  such  appointment.     The  same  term  of 
sixty  days  and  the  same  conditions  will  rule  in  the  event  of  a  subse- 
quent refusal  to  act  as  umpire. 

Article  VIII. 
The  umpire  having  accepted  the  appointment,  the  Government  of 
the  Argentine  Republic  and  the  Government  of  the  Republic  of 
Paraguay  shall  present  to  him,  within  the  term  of  twelve  months 
from  the  acceptance  of  the  office,  memoirs  containing  the  exposi- 
tion of  the  rights  which  each  party  considers  to  have  to  the  dis- 
puted territory,  each  party  furnishing  all  the  documents,  titles, 
maps,  quotations,  references,  and  all  the  antecedents  they  judge 
favorable  to  their  rights ;  it  being  agreed  that  at  the  expiration  o 

f 


56 

the  said  term  of  twelve  months,  the  argument  for  both  parties  will 
be  finally  closed,  whatever  reasons  they  may  adduce  to  the  contrary 
notwithstanding. 

Only  the  umpire  appointed  can,  after  the  expiration  of  the  term, 
order  the  filing  of  any  documents  or  titles  as  he  may  judge  neces- 
sary to  guide  his  judgment  or  upon  which  to  base  the  decision  which 
he  is  entitled  to  pronounce. 

Article  IX. 

If,  within  the  stipulated  term,  any  of  the  contracting  parties 
should  not  exhibit  the  memoirs,  titles  and  documents  favoring  his 
pretensions,  the  umpire  will  give  his  decision  upon  the  papers  ex- 
hibited by  the  other  party  and  the  memoranda  presented  by  the 
Argentine  Minister  and  the  Paraguayan  JMinister  in  the  year  1873, 
and  the  other  diplomatic  documents  exchanged  in  the  negotiations 
of  the  said  year.  If  none  is  presented  to  him,  the  umpire  will  de- 
cide, bearing  in  mind  in  that  case,  as  sufficient  evidence  the  above 
mentioned  documents. 

Any  of  the  contracting  Governments  can  present  the  said  docu- 
ments to  the  umpire. 

Article  X. 
In  the  cases  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  articles,  the  decision  given 
will  be  final  and  obligatory  upon  both  parties,  and  no  reason  shall 
ever  be  adduced  to  prevent  its  fulfilment. 

Article  XI. 

It  is  agreed  that  during  the  investigation  by  the  umpire,  and  until 
its  termination,  no  change  shall  be  made  in  the  section  submitted  to 
arbitration,  and  that  should  any  act  of  possession  occur  before  the 
decision,  it  shall  not  have  any  value,  nor  can  it  be  adduced  in  the 
discussion  as  a  new  title. 

It  is  also  agreed  that  any  new  grants  that  may  be  made  by  the 
Argentine  Government  at  Villa  Occidental  cannot  be  invoked  as 
titles  in  his  favor,  as  they  only  amount  to  the  continuation  of  the 
exercise  of  jurisdiction  which  has  at  present,  and  which  will  con- 
tinue until  the  decision  by  the  umpire,  in  order  not  to  check  the 
progress  of  that  place,  or  its  value  to  the  State  to  which  it  shall 
be  finally  adjudged. 


57 

Article  XII. 

It  is  agreed  that  should  the  decision  by  the  umpire  result  in  favor 
of  the  Argentine  Republic,  it  will  respect  the  rights  of  ownership 
and  possession  emanating  from  the  Government  of  Paraguay,  and 
will  indemnify  the  latter  to  the  value  of  its  public  buildings.  And 
should  the  decision  result  in  favor  of  Paraguay,  it  will  also  respect 
the  rights  of  possession  and  ownership  emanating  from  the  Argen- 
tine Government,  also  indemnifying  the  Argentine  Republic  to  the 
value  of  its  public  buildings. 

The  amount  of  this  indemnilication  and  the  form  of  payment 
will  be  determined  by  two  delegates  who  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
contracting  parties,  six  months  after  the  rendering  of  the  decision 
by  the  umpire.  Those  two  delegates,  in  case  of  disagreement, 
shall  jointly  nominate  a  third  party  to  settle  difierences. 

Article  XIII. 
The  sur\-eys  of  territories  made  by  the  two  countries,  cannot  im- 
pair the  rights  or  titles  that  directly  or  indirectly  could  assist  them 
regarding  the  territoiy  subject  to  arbitration. 

Article  XIV. 
The  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of  the  present  treaty  will  take 
place  at  the  City  of  Buenos  Ayres  within  the  shortest  term  possible. 

In  testimony  whereof  the  Plenipotentiaries  have  signed  and 
sealed  the  present  treaty  in  duplicate,  in  the  City  of 
Buenos  Ayres,  on  the  third  day  of  the  month  of  February, 
in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy-six. 

[L.S.]  BERNARDO  de  IRIGOYEN. 

[L.S.]  FACUNDO  MACHAIN. 

E.   LAMARCA, 
Secretary  to  the  Argattme  Plenipotentiary. 

CARLOS  SAGUIER, 

Secretary  to  the  Paraguayan  Pletiipotentiary. 

Therefore,  having  seen  and  examined  the  treat}'  above  inserted, 
and  after  having  obtained   the  competent  authorization  from  the 
National  Congress,  I  accept,   confirm,  and   ratif)'  it,  by  these  pres- 
8 


68 

ents,  promising  and  binding  myself,  in  the  name  of  the  Argentine 
Repubhc,  to  make,  observe  and  fulfill  faithfully  and  inviolably 
everything  contained  and  stipulated  in  all  and  each  of  the  articles 
of  the  said  treaty. 

In  testimony  whereof  I  sign,  set  my  hand  to  the  present 
instrument  of  ratification,  and  affix  thereunto  the  great 
seal  of  the  Republic,  it  being  countersigned  by  the  Min- 
ister Secretary  of  State  in  the  Department  of  Foreign  Re- 
lations. 

Given  at  the   National   Government  House,  in  Buenos 
Ayres,  on  the  first  day  of  September,  1876. 

(Signed)         N.   AVELLANEDA. 

(Signed)         BERNARDO  de  IRIGOYEN. 

A  true  copy  of  the  original   existing   in  the  archives  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  Foreign  Relations. 

j  Place  of  the  )  M.  F.  RIQUELMO, 

I  Great  Seal.    [  First  Clerk, 


59 


EXHIBIT    A. 

No.    2. 

Department  of  Foreign  Relations. 
Juan  Bautista  Gill, 

Constitutional  President  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay', 

To  His  Excellency  the  President  of  the  U7iited  States  of  America :  Autcraphi 

Great  and  good  friend, — I  have  the  high  honor  and  satisfaction  President       c 
to  bring  to  your  knowledge   the    fact   that    between    the  RepubHc  presSent'"    o 
of  Paraguay  and   the   Argentine   RepubHc  there  exists  a  question  I'Jates,     Boilcii 
relative  to  the  ownership  or  better  right  on  a  part  of  the  territor}-  of anleofme'offic 
Chaco,  situated    on    the    right   bank   of  the  Paraguay  River,  lying  °^  "™P"®- 
between  the  Verde   River  and  the  principal  arm  of  the  Pilcomayo 
River,  a  question  that  according  to  the  treaty  ratified  between  both 
nations  on  the  third  of  February,  1876,  shall  be  decided  by  arbitra- 
tion.    As,  by  common   consent,  we   have   agreed  to  designate  as 
umpire  His  Excellency  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica, I  take  the  liberty  to  address  you,  begging  you  in   the  most 
friendly  manner  to  be  pleased  to  accept  the  office  we  intrust  to  you. 
as  a  great  and  generous  friend,  to  whom  anything  referring  to  the 
tranquillity  and  good   harmony  that   should    exist   between    these 
republics  cannot  be  a  matter  of  indifference. 

Hoping  that  you  will  aid  in  settling  this  question,  and  with  best 
wishes  for  the  prosperity  of  the  great  commonwealth  of  the.  United 
States,  over  which  you  so  worthily  preside,  I  have  the  honor  to 
subscribe  myself 

Your  faithful  and  good  friend, 

JUAN  BAUTISTA  GILL, 
BENJAIVIIN  ACEVAL. 

Done  at  Asuncion,  the  13th  of  January,  I877. 


60 

To  His  Excellency  Juan  Bautista  Gill, 

Presidefii  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay: 

[a^ei'^^'^^pife^l      Great  AND  GooD  Friend, — I  havc  received  the  letter  of  the  13th 

^nlted  St     ^'^f  °^  Jaiiuary  last,  addressed  to  me  by  your  Excellency,  requesting  me 

mevica.  to  accept  the  trust  of  umpire  between  your  Government  and  the 

Argentine    Republic,  in   a   difference  which   has  arisen  as  to  the 

boundaiy  between  them,  provision  having  been  made  by  treat}'  to 

refer  the  question  to  arbitration. 

In  reply,  I  beg  leave  to  announce  to  your  Excellency  my  accept- 
ance of  the  function  so  cordially  offered.  I  have  the  less  hesitation 
in  taking  this  step,  as  it  is  in  the  direction  of  a  policy  for  the  ad- 
justment of  disputes  between  nations  in  which  I  heartily  concur. 

I  shall  find,  in  my  endeavor  to  be  strictly  impartial  in  my  judg- 
ment, my  best  assurance  for  the  hope  that  my  award  will  be  satis- 
factoiy'  to  both  parties,  or,  at  least,  that  such  a  course  will  tend  to 
relieve  any  disappointment  which  either  may  feel  at  the  result. 

I  take  pleasure  in  availing  myself  of  this  occasion  to  offer  to 
your  Excellency  my  hearty  wishes  for  the  prosperity  of  the  Republic 
of  Paraguay. 

Done  at  Washington,  the  28th  day  of  March,  1877. 

Your  good  friend, 

R.  B.   HAYES. 
By  the  President. 

Wm.  M.  Evarts,  Secretary  of  State. 


61 

EXHIBIT  B. 

Office  of  the  Secretary  of  Foreign  Relations  : 

Asuncion,  August  25,  1877. 
Sir, — Desiring  to  authenticate  tha  copies  of  the  original  docu-  Note  of  the 
ments  deposited  in  the  national  archives,  referring  to  the  ques- Foreign  Beia- 
tion  concerning  Chaco  which  has  been  submitted  to  the  arbitration  guay  °to  ufe 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  America,  I  will  feel  much  a^l^g^^^'^To 
obliged  to  your  Excellency  should  you  take  the  trouble  to  make  a  ^^*^^*nt8*' ^re*"- 
careful  comparison  between  the  copies  and  the  originals,  in  order  co'^^aj^er"  Sm- 
that  you  maybe  pleased   to  certify  lawfully  as  to  its  accuracy  and  p^"?°°      '"''^ 

J  ■  ^  J  ^  J  originals,      and 

literal  transcription,  under  your  signature  and  the  seal  of  the  Lega-^^'^^^^^®'^- 
tion  under  your  charge. 

The  absence  of  an  American  Legation  in  this  country  compels 
me  to  ask  this  service  from  your  Excellency,  and  I  doubt  not  that 
your  Excellency  will  comply  with  it,  with  your  usual  kindness. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  of  having  the  honor  of  ex- 
pressing to  you  my  esteem,  subscribing  as 

Your  respectful  ser\-ant, 

JUAN  A.  JARA. 
To  His  Excellency  the  Charge  d' Affaires  of 

H.  M.  the  King  of  Italy,  the  Chevalier  Enrique  Stella. 


Legation  of  H.  ]\L  the  King  of  Italy, 

Asuncion,  August  20,  1877. 

Sir, — In  answer  to  your  note  of  this  date,  in  which  you  request 
me,  in  the  absence  of  an  American  Legation. in  this  Republic,  to 
authenticate  the  copies  of  the  original  documents  referring  to  the 
question  of  Chaco,  I  have  the  pleasure  to  assure  you  that  I  accede 
willingly  to  the  request  with  which  I  have  the  honor  to  be  addressed. 

With  this  view,  I  will  be  at  the  disposal  of  the  Department  in 
your  worthy  charge  to-morrow  morning  at  io|  o'clock,  or  on  any 
other  day  that  suits  best  your  convenience. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to  reiterate  to  you,  sir,  the 
assurance  of  my  highest  consideration  and  esteem. 

(Signed)         E.   STELLA. 
To  His  Excellency  Don  Juan  A.  Jara, 

Secretary  of  Foreign  Relations. 


62 


iver 


EXHIBIT    C. 

No.  1. 
Royal    Letters    Pateistt  ('). 

The  KixG, 
Letter  of  the  To  the  Chief  Justice  and  the  Associate  Justices  of  the  Eoyal 
3ncf  of  La^Trin-  Auclieuce,  cstablislied  by  my  order  in  the  City  of  La  Trin- 

invest'igat^'on  1o         idcid  (M  pueHo  (U  Bueuos  Aires,  in  the  proA'ince  of  the 

oe  made    about  ;-„    pinfn  ri'ircv 

:he    expediency  ^"'  ^<«f«  rivei. 

3f  consolidating  The  licentiate  Don  Juan  Blasques  de  Valverde,  formerly  my 
nent^^the^'dif-Grovernor  and  Captain  General  of  the  province  of  Paraguay, 
nems  of  """tT;  said  to  me  in  a  letter  dated  April  18th,  1657,  that  the  King,  my 
iguly'^^an"/  ^ihl  father  and  lord  (whom  God  may  keep  in  his  glory)  had  been 
)ther^  provinces pig^gg(j  ^Q  causc,  in  1618,  the  government  of  the  province  of 
Paraguay  and  that  of  the  other  provinces  now  under  your  juris- 
diction (up  to  that  time  administered  by  a  governor,  in  tempo- 
ral matters,  and  by  a  bishop  in  the  spiritual  ones)  to  be  sepa- 
rated from  each  other;  and  he  added  that  this  order  having 

( ^ )  The  Spanish  words  Real  cedula  have  been  rendered  into  English  by  the 
words  royal  letters  patent,  as  they  were  deemed  to  be  the  most  adequate  to 
convey  to  the  reader's  mind  the  idea  expressed  b}-  them. 

Different  words  are  used  in  the  Spanish  technical  language  to  express  the 
idea  of  an  order,  or  provision  made  or  enacted  hy  the  king,  Real  drden,  real 
decreto,  real  cedula,  real  provision  or  real  despacho,  are  substantially  the  same 
thing  ;  but  these  different  names  are  given  to  it  on  account  of  the  form  or  shape 
of  the  commandment  itself. 

Royal  orders  are  those  given  in  the  name  of  the  king,  and  "  bj'  his  order,' 
signed  to  by  the  Secretary  of  the  resj^ective  Department  alone. 

Royal  decrees  are  those  which  are  authenticated  by  the  royal  flourish,  and 
countersigned  by  the  respective  Secretary.  Thej'  end  by  the  following  words : 
"  Kitd  rubricado  de  la  real  mano."     (The  royal  hand  has  set  a  flourish  hereto.) 

Royal  cedula  or  letter  patents,  begin  by  the  word:  "  The  King"  and  end  by 
the  royal  signature  in  this  way :  '"  I,  the  Kitig." 

Royal  provisions,  or  despatches,  begin  by  reciting  all  the  titles  of  the  king, 
as  for  instance :  "  Dn.  Carlos,  Rey.  de  Espana,  y  Navarra,"  <fec.,  <fec.  The  sig- 
nature is,  "  I  the  King." 


63 

been  complied  with,  iu  1G31,  the  inhalDitauts  of  Paraguay  felt 
and  recognized  that  division  to  be  injurious  to  the  preservation 
of  peace  and  to  their  own  personal  safety,  and  had  asked  of  rae 
the  favor  to  consolidate  the  two  governments  and  restore  every- 
thing to  the  condition  in  which  it  was  before.  Finally,  he  said 
that  at  the  request  of  the  same  inhabitants  he  had  caused  an  in- 
vestigation to  be  made,  as  shown  by  the  record  he  inclosed,  in 
order  to  prove  that  when  the  division  took  place  there  were 
eight  cities  in  the  two  districts,  and  that  owing  to  their  number 
and  to  their  being  situate  too  far  away  from  each  other  to  be 
kept  under  the  control  of  only  one  governor,  it  was  decided  to 
distribute  them  proportionally  between  the  two  governments  at 
the  rate  of  four  for  each  one.  Out  of  the  cities  allotted  to  Para- 
guay, the  City  of  La  Asuncion,  in  which  the  cathedral  was 
erected,  is  the  only  one  remaining  in  existence  ;  the  other  three 
are  lost;  two  of  them  fell  in  the  hands  of  hostile  Indians,  still 
holding  and  occupying  them ;  and  the  fourth,  named  La  Villa 
Pica,  became  depopulated,  in  consequence  of  the  invasions  to 
which  it  was  always  subject  by  the  Portuguese  from  San  Pablo. 
Some  of  the  few  residents  who  were  left  there  went  out,  a  dis- 
tance about  forty  or  fifty  leagues  from  the  City  of  La  Asuncion 
and  settled  a  small  town,  which  is  now  of  sixty  or  seventy  in- 
habitants, mostly  engaged  in  raising  the  grass  serving  as  pas- 
ture in  all  the  other  provinces  of  Peru. 

As  to  the  other  four  cities  which  were  alloted  to  the  govern- 
ment of  your  own  province,  the  one  named  Eio  Bennejo  City, 
and  a  town  named  Matara,  were  demolished  by  wild  Indians, 
who  also  killed  a  great  number  of  Spaniards.  The  record  fur- 
ther shows  that  the  whole  of  these  troubles  was  dependent  upon 
the  necessity  of  dividing  the  forces  of  the  government  between 
the  two  provinces,  thus  resulting  that  the  number  of  men 
apportioned  to  each  one  did  not  suffice  for  its  defense.  "While 
consolidated  under  only  one  jurisdiction,  the  said  cities  were 
able  not  only  to  resist  the  Indians,  but  also  to  extend  the  con- 
quests, establish  new  settlements,  and  punish  the  savages  who 
did  not  submit  to  the  Spaniards.  The  above  said  Don  Juan 
Blasfjues  de  Valverde  refers,  as  an  instance,  to  what  happened 
with  the  Government  of    Tucuman,   which   comprises  eight 


64 

cities ;  and  says,  that  in  addition  to  the  reasons  stated  to  show- 
that  the  annihilation  and  ruin  of  the  Province  of  Paraguay  was 
due  to  tlie  division  spoken  of,  it  is  to  be  considered  that  the 
residents  of  his  province  are  constantly  subject  to  many  other 
troubles  on  account  of  the  Indians  held  by  them  in  their 
encomiendas,  and  upon  whose  work  they  lived,  since  they  have 
no  other  means  to  cultivate  their  lands.  These  troubles  depend 
upon  the  fact  that  the  said  inhabitants  employ  their  Indians  in 
transporting  to  the  neighboring  provinces  the  grass  and  the 
tobacco  raised  by  them,  something  which  they  do  generally  by 
water,  in  boats  or  in  rafts,  as  far  as  Santa  Fe,  which  is  the  port 
of  the  Parana  river;  but  when  passing  by  the  Las  Corrientes 
City,  which  belongs  to  a  different  government,  the  inhabitants 
there  being  always  in  need  of  laborers,  used  to  detain  these 
Indians  and  force  them  to  work  for  the  benefit  of  the  detainers, 
and  without  the  authorities  bringing  any  remedy  to  that  evil. 
Such  a  thing  did  not  happen  wdien  all  the  provinces  were  united 
under  only  one  jurisdiction,  because  the  government  looked  at 
all  of  them  with  equal  affection  and  interest,  and  caused  the 
Indians  sent  away,  as  aforesaid,  to  be  l)rought  back  and  returned 
to  the  city  from  which  they  had  departed.  He  also  says  that 
the  disturbances  and  unpleasantness  experienced  in  that  city 
were  due  to  the  fact  that  the  government  was  confined  exclu- 
sively to  the  city  of  La  Asuncion,  where  the  governor  and  the 
bishop  lived  in  limited  circumstances,  owing  to  the  poverty  and 
scarcity  of  its  population.  In  view  of  all  of  this,  he  recom- 
mends the  consolidation  of  all  those  provinces  in  only  one 
government,  both  in  spiritual  and  temporal  matters,  saving 
thereby  the  salary  of  two  thousand  ducats  paid  to  one  of  the 
two  governors,  and  the  allowance  made  to  the  bishops,  which 
has  to  come  out  of  my  own  funds,  since  they  have  no  revenue, 
and  the  tithes  therein  collected,  which  would  be  enough  to 
support  one  prelate  and  a  dean  anul  three  canons,  are  insufficient 
for  two.  The  other  prebends,  he  says,  could  be  abolished,  since 
they  have  no  revenue,  and  nobody  asks  for  them.  And 
whereas,  all  of  this,  together  with  a  memorial  presented  on  be- 
half of  the  said  city  of  La  Asuncion,  setting  forth  the  same 
pretension,  and  otlier  papers  bearing  upon   tlie  same  subjectj 


65 

have  been  considered  by  my  Council  of  Indies,  in  wJiich  my 
Attorney  General  for  the  said  council  gave  his  opinion,  and  I 
want  to  know  the  facts  and  ascertain  the  truth  of  the  state- 
ments of  the  letter  of  Don  Juan  Blasques  de  Valverde,  and  of 
the  record  of  the  investigation  sent  by  him,  and  see  whether 
the  depopulation  of  those  cities,  and  the  losses  and  troubles 
referred  to,  are  really  dependent  upon  the  division  made  of  the 
Government  of  Paraguay  from  that  of  the  provinces  of  the  La 
Plata  river,  and  can  be  prevented  and  cured  by  reuniting  again 
both  governments,  both  in  spiritual  and  temporal  matters,  and 
also  to  be  informed  about  the  expediency  or  inexpediency  of 
such  a  reunion ;  I  command  you  to  inquire  particularly  upon 
these  matters,  getting  your  information  out  of  the  best  and 
most  disinterested  sources  you  may  be  able  to  approach,  and  to 
send  me,  at  the  first  opportunity,  a  report  setting  forth,  with 
due  explanation  and  clearness,  the  result  of  your  inquiries  and 
your  opinion  on  the  subject,  in  order  that  it  be  submitted  to 
the  said  my  Council  of  Indians,  and  a  proper  decision  may  be 
given. 

Done  at  Madrid,  this  31st  of  December,  1662. 

I,  THE  KING. 
By  order  of  the  King  our  Lord, 

Dox  JuAX  DEL  Solar. 

(There  are  five  flourishes.) 
To  the  audience  which  Your  Majesty  ordered  to  be  founded  in 
the  Provinces  of  the  La  Plata  river,  asking  for  a  report  on  the 
reunion  of  the  spiritual  and  temporal  power  of  the  Provinces  of 
the  La  Plata  River  and  Paraguay. 


66 


r«    .  t.  EXHIBIT    C. 

Letter  to   the 

iperior  of  the 

ciety  of  Jesus,  Js  0.    2. 

king  him  for 

fna'rieTfor^JS  LETTERS    EOGATOET. 

■  due e  ion    of 

mbo,  towards     T   Doii  Jose  Martinez  Fontes,  a  Captain  of  the  Dracjoons  of 

Chaco.  '  .  . 

El  Presidio,  of  Buenos  Ayres,  and  the  Captain-General  of  this 
province  of  Paraguay,  &c., 

To  the  y.  E.  Father  Xicolas  Contucci,  of  the  Holy  Society  of 
Jesus,  now  the  Visitor  of  this  province  of  Paraguay : 
I  do  hereby  inform  you  and  set  forth  that  while  engaged  in 
visiting  the  towns  and  districts  under  my  jurisdiction,  I  was 
told  by  my  quartermaster,  Don  Fulgencio  de  Yegros,  that  the 
Indian  tribe  known  by  the  name  of  ^^  Nacion  cosaria  de  los 
Ahipo?ies,"  had  asked  for  a  pass  to  this  province,  and  requested 
to  be  gathered  in  a  reduccion  (^),  where  to  be  converted  and  live 
under  the  subjection  of  the  Evangelical  law.  On  the  receipt  of 
such  a  plausible  information^  and  thinking  that  the  subject 
thereof  was  of  a  greater  importance  than  the  visit  itself,  I  sus- 
pended the  continuation  thereof  and  hastened  to  come  back  to 
this  City,  and  from  here  down  the  river  to  the  place  named 
Timbo,  which  had  been  designated  by  Cacique  Deguachi, 
placing  myself  under  the  protection  of  your  Holy  Order  by  tak- 
ing with  me  Father  Francisco  Burges,  who  is  acquainted  with 
the  language  of  the  said  nation.  When  the  meeting  took  place, 
and  I  suggested  all  the  stipulations  which  I  deemed  to  be  con- 
ducive to  the  establishment  of  jjermanent  peace  and  to  the  civ- 
ilization of  their  people,  they  showed  a  disposition  to  accept 
them  in  all  sincerity  and  without  malice,  as  far  as  I  know, 
and  gave  up  their  arms  and  surrendered  to  the  Spaniards. 
Finally,  the  agreement  teas  made  ly  us  that  in  the  month  of 
February  next,  I  would  come  doion  the  river,  bringing  with  me 

{')  "Reduccion"  is  the  term  used  to  express  a  town  or  settlement  newly 
founded,  to  which  the  Indians  were  invited  to  come  to  receive  instruction  under 
the  direction  of  a  priest  and  become  members  of  a  civilized  community. 


67 

a  numler  of  men,  cattle  and  implements,  as  ivell  as  provisions, 
and  huild  for  them  a  toion  in  the  above  mentioned  place  of 
TimM,  at  El  Chaco.  And  as  I  am  fully  aware  of  the  earnest 
desire  of  your  Holy  Order  to  convert  the  heathen  and  spread 
the  Gospel,  as  shown  by  its  action  everywhere  in  the  world,  and 
of  the  special  attention  which  you  will  give  to  the  matter  here- 
in referred  to,  thus  rendering  service  to  both  Majesties,  and  to 
the  good  of  this  province  and  of  those  souls  strayed  from  the 
flock  of  Our  Eedeemer,  Jesus  Christ,!  do  request  you  to  appoint 
one  or  two  persons  of  your  Order  and  direct  them  to  be  ready 
at  the  time  before  mentioned  to  go  to  the  place  of  the  "  reduc- 
cion  "  agreed  to  and  attend  to  the  training  thereof.  Should  this 
request  of  mine  be  not  enough,  then,  in  the  name  of  the  King, 
our  Lord,  I  do  exhort  you  and  require  to  act  as  requested.  By 
so  doing,  in  a  matter  of  such  a  great  importance,  you  will  ren- 
der good  service  to  His  Majesty,  and  I,  in  just  reciprocity,  will 
duly  attend  to  any  requests  made  by  you  to  promote  the  inter- 
ests of  your  Holy  Order. 

Given  at  La  Asuncion,  of  Paraguay,  this  35th  day  of  Octo- 
ber, 1762. 

JOSE  MAETINEZ  FONTES. 

Before  me, 

Blas  de  Noceda, 

Notary  Public  and  Clerk  for  the 

Governor  and  the  Treasury. 


68 


EXHIBIT    C. 

Eeply   of   the 

iperior  of  the  -.y        „ 

)ciety  of  Jesus,  x\  u.    o. 

lat  he  will  ap- 

5iut  missiona-  EePLT    TO    THE    ABOVE. 

68  to  be   sent 

lested. '  I,  Nicholas  Coutucci,  S.  J.,  Visitor-General  of  this  Province 

of  Paraguay,  to  all  who  would  see  these  presents : 

Know,  that  on  the  9th  of  November,  1762,  while  I  was  engaged, 
in  compliance  with  the  duties  imposed  upon  me,  in  visiting 
these  missions  of  Guarani  Indians,  entrusted  to  my  holy  order, 
I  received  the  letters  rogatory  which  the  Captain  of  Dragoons, 
Don  Jose  Martinez  Pontes,  the  Governor  and  Captain-General 
of  the  Province  of  Paraguay,  has  addressed  to  me.  Upon  the 
proper  consideration  of  the  matter  therein  referred  to,  and  of 
the  order  therein  given  in  the  name  of  His  Majesty  (whom  God 
may  save),  paying  veneration  to  it,  and  highly  appreciating  the 
confidence  of  the  said  Governor  in  the  industry  and  zeal  of  our 
society,  I,  in  my  capacity  of  Superior  of  the  same  order  for  all 
these  Provinces,  do  say,  that  I  will  obey  and  comply  with  every- 
thing directed  in  the  said  letters,  and  that,  therefore,  as  soon  as 
the  new  "  reduccion  "  for  the  Abipone  Indians  will  be  settled, 
or  established,  the  proper  persons  will  be  appointed  to  take  care 
of  their  spiritual  training ;  it  being  understood,  however,  that  by 
doing  this,  we  do  not  assume  the  duty  to  provide  for  the  temporal 
support  of  the  reduccion,  which  is  a  duty  incumbent  upon 
the  Governor  and  Captain-General  himself,  and  ui^on  his  suc- 
cessors in  the  office,  nor  do  we  take  charge,  either,  of  giving 
any  temi^oral  assistance,  to  the  missionaries  themselves,  since 
said  assistance  is  to  be  solicited  from  the  King,  our  Lord,  by 
the  Governor  aforesaid,  as  provided  by  the  Eoyal  Charters  and 
laws  on  the  subject  of  the  surveying  and  settlement  of  new 
" reducciones.^'  And  as  to  the  freedom  of  the  Indians,  to  be 
kept  within  the  new  settlement,  the  Governor  will  be  pleased, 
in  the  name  of  His  Majesty,  to  place  the  said  Indians  under  the 
protection  of  the  Royal  Crown,  as  subjects  of  His  Majesty,  and 


69 

declare  that  they  will  never  be  allowed  to  be  kept  in  bondage, 
whether  under  the  head  of  encomieyidas,  or  depdsitv ;,  or  any 
other,  as  provided  by  the  Royal  Laws  of  the  Indies  relating  to 
the  Indians  who  freely  and  spontaneously  accept  the  Gospel,  as 
it  is  the  case  with  tlie  ones  herein  spoken  of,  and  it  is  more 
expedient  for  their  better  instruction  and  the  preservation  of 
peace  and  good  order.  And  hoping  that  you  being  animated  by 
a  spirit  of  justice  and  Christian  zeal,  will  do  as  requested.  I  re- 
main with  the  understanding  that  the  "  reduccion  "  referred  to 
shall  be  left,  as  far  as  the  spiritual  training  is  concerned,  in 
charge  of  our  society,  and  in  my  capacity  of  its  Superior  here, 
do  promise  to  attend  to  it  as  soon  as  the  "  reduccion  "  is  founded 
or  established. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  liave  issued  these  presents, 
signed  by  me,  and  by  my  Secretary,  in  the  town  of 
La  Candelaria,  this  13th  of  November,  1762. 

NICHOLAS  CONTUCCL 

Lorenzo  Balda, 

Secretary. 


70 


Proclamation  EXHIBIT       C. 

if  the  Governor 

leneral  of  Para-  -» j         . 

;uay,   declaring  iN  0.    4. 

he     reducciones 

ir    settlements,  DECLARATION. 

aade,   or  to  be 

nade,  at  El  Cha-        t.i  -i  ct.  ■  r»i-«  ;^^/^^ 

o,  to  be  incor-  In  the  City  01  La  Asuncioft  oi  Faraguay,  on  the  20th  of 
[ominions  of  March,  1763,1,  Don  Jose  Martinez  Foutes,  a  Captain  of  the 
ipaln.  ^^^  °  Dragoons  of  El  Presidio  de  Buenos  Aires  and  the  Governor  and 
Captain  General  of  this  province  of  Paraguay,  by  His  Majesty 
(whom  God  may  preserve),  upon  examination  of  the  reply  given 
by  the  V.  E.  Father  Nicolas  Contucci,  of  the  Society  of  Jesus, 
Visitor  General  of  this  province,  to  the  letters  rogatory  sent  to 
him  on  the  35th  of  October,  1762,  requesting  him  to  appoint 
some  religious  persons  of  his  order  to  serve  as  missionaries  in 
the  new  "  reduccio7i  "  of  Abipone  Indians,  and  of  the  terms  and 
conditions  set  forth  in  his  said  I'eply,  dated  November  12th,  in 
the  same  year,  for  which  reply,  in  the  name  of  His  Majesty, 
whom  God  may  preserve,  I  give  him  thanks,  do  say  the  follow- 
ing: 

That  as  to  the  point  suggested  by  His  Eeverence,  that  his 
holy  order  does  not  take  charge  to  supply  the  funds  required 
for  the  establishment  of  the  "  reduccion,"  and  the  support  of 
the  Indians,  I  promise  to  do  as  suggested ;  but  as  the  province 
has  already  contributed  for  that  purpose,  I  will  apply  to  His 
Majesty,  and  try  to  obtain  from  His  Royal  Treasury  what,  ac- 
cording to  the  Laws  of  the  Indies,  is  to  be  given  for  the  tem- 
poral support  of  the  Indians,  and  of  the  missionaries,  in  all  of 
which  I  am  quite  sure  to  succeed,  confiding  in  the  Catholic  and 
Eoyal  piety  of  His  Majesty.  Whereupon,  in  compliance  with 
the  provisions  7nade  and  enacted  on  the  subject  of  new  "reduc- 
ciones" hy  the  laius  of  the  Indies,  in  the  name  of  His  Majesty,  I  do 
hereby  declare  the  said  neiu  reduccion  of  Abipone  India7is,  and 
others,  of  other  tribes,  who  would  join  them,  to  be  incorporated  in 
the  dominio7i  of  His  Eoyal  Crotun  ;  and  I  do  7nake  the  sa7ne  de- 
claration i7i  regard  to  the  other  reducciones  of  the  same  Lidians, 


71 

or  of  Indians  of  the  other  nations  that  neighbor  El  Chaco,  which 
may  he  founded  within  this  Government, on  both  sides  of  the  Para- 
guay river,  under  the  care  of  the  R.  R.  Jesuit  Fathers.  And 
consequently  neither  of  the  said  nations  or  tribes  will  ever  be 
held  in  bondage,  or  given  in  encomienda  to  any  person,  or  com- 
pelled to  do  any  personal  service,  or  taxed  in  any  other  way 
whatever,  as  set  forth  and  provided  by  the  3d  law  of  the  15th  title 
of  the  6th  Book  of  the  Compilation.  All  of  which  is  hereby  so 
declared,  ordered  and  commanded^  as  long  as  His  Majesty,  to 
whom  everything  will  be  duly  reported  on  the  first  opportunity 
is  not  pleased  to  prescribe  otherwise,  according  to  his  will  and 
the  best  interests  of  His  Royal  service. 
Witness  my  hand, 

JOSE  MARTINEZ  FONTES. 
Before  me, 

Blas  de  Noceda,  • 

Notary  Public  and  Cleric  for  the  Governor  and 
the  Treasury. 


72 


Letters    roga-  T?VTJTT>T'T'       n 

>ry  to  the  Presi-  Il/-(:V-Llij>i  L        Kj. 

eut  of  the  Col- 

:ge.,  to   send  a  -vt         „ 

riestto  the  re-  JN  0.    0. 

ucoion     of    El 

osario  of  Abi- 

one  Indians.  LEITEKS  ROGATOKY. 

I,  Dou  Fulgencio  de  Yegros,  the  Quarter-master-General,  a 
Lieuten ant-General  in  the  army,  and  the  Chief  Justice  and 
military  superior  authority  of  this  Province  of  Paraguay,  by 
His  Majesty,  whom  God  may  preserve,  do  hereby  inform  the  V. 
E.  Father  Antonio  Miranda,  S.  J.,  President  of  the  College  of 
La  Asuncion  of  Paraguay,  that  Father  Martin  Debruhoyer,  S. 
Jt,  missionary  doing  service  in  the  new  reduccion  of  Abipone 
Indians  named  "^  Our  Lady  of  the  Rosary,"  says  to  me  in  a  let- 
»  ter  dated  March  25th,  that  lie  is  now  seriously  ill,  and  in  grave 

risk  of  death,  for  which  reason  he  wishes  me  to  send  there 
some  vessel  to  bring  him  back  to  this  college,  and  also  to  ap- 
point another  person  in  his  place  to  attend  to  the  spiritual 
needs  of  those  people.  And  as  at  the  request  of  this  Govern- 
ment, and  by  the  express  consent  of  the  V.  R.  Father 
Provincial,  your  holy  society  took  charge  of  the  training  and 
civilization  of  said  Indians,  of  all  of  which  His  Majesty  has 
been  particularly  informed  by  the  Governor  and  Captain- 
General,  I  come,  to  you,  urged  by  the  desire  to  bring  prompt 
remedy  to  the  necessity  now  felt,  and  beg  you  to  appoint 
another  priest  to  go  there,  and  do  the  service  above  mentioned, 
at  least  ad  interim,  and  until  your  superior  as  well  as  His 
Majesty  decide  otherwise. 

For  this  reason,  in  His  Royal  name,  I  do  exhort  and  require 
you ;  and  in  my  own  earnestly  request,  promptly  to  act  in  the 
matter  set  forth  in  this  letter,  and  provide  both  for  the  relief  of 
the  above  mentioned  priest,  and  for  preventing  those  souls  re- 
deemed by  the  inestimable  price  of  the  blood  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  from  falling  again  in  the  darkness  of  heathenism. 

If  you  act  as  requested.  His   Majesty  will  'acknowledge   to 


73 

have  been  well  served,  and  I  will  remain  obliged,  and  ready  to 
comply  with  your  petitions  in  justice  and  with  affection. 

Given  at  the  City  of  La  Asuncion  of  Paraguay,  this  10th  of 
April,  1765. 

FULGENCIO  DE  YEGROS, 

By  order  of  His  Lordship, 

Juan  Jose  Bazan, 

Notary  Public  aad  the  Clerhfor  the  Governor  and 
the  Treasury. 

In  the  day  above  written  I  delivered  the  above  letters  to  the 
Father  President  of  this  College  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  and 
made  him  acquainted  with  the  contents  thereof — So  I  attest. 

BAZAN. 


10 


74 


EXHIBIT    C. 

¥o.  6. 
Royal   Letters    Patent. 
The  Kixg. 
Koj-ai  letter  of     Doii  Jose  Mai'tinez  Fob  tes.  Governor  and  Captain -General 

the  Governor  to  .  ' 

paraguay,ac-oi  the   Provmce  01  Paraguay,  HI  a  letter  of  the  loth  of   Feb- 
with  ce'rtainruar^',   1759,  aclclressecl  to    Don   Pedro  de  Zeballos,  Governor 

measures  taken     n     ,^  '.  p     t->  a  •  i        p    n 

in  consequence  01  the  province  ot  Uueuos  Ajres,  gives  an  account  ot  the 
into  the  te™ito^  depredations  committed  by  Indians,  from  El  Chaco,  and 
iL°at  E?chaca  I'^fers  to  the  correspondence  he  had  with  the  Governor  of 
Tucuman  and  with  your  predecessor  Don  Jaime  Sanjust, 
on  the  subject  of  facilitating  an  incursion  in  the  territory 
of  the  said  Indians,  to  jninish  their  lawlessness,  and  of  the 
advantages  possibly  to  be  derived  from  their  submission,  by 
preserving  peace  in  the  three  provinces,  and  by  establishing 
commercial  relations  between  Potosi  and  the  said  port,  through 
the  Bermejo,  Paraguay  and  Parana  rivers,  he  being  inclin- 
ed to  think  the  repetition  of  general  incursions^very  three  or 
four  years  in  the  said  territory  to  be  expedient,  and  that  the 
expenses  of  the  one  to  be  made  from  his  own  province  might  be 
paid  out  of  the  tithes  levied  on  the  Indians  of  the  Missions  of 
your  provinces  of  Paraguay,  since  he  had  no  funds  with  which 
to  attend  to  it.  In  a  subsequent  letter  of  the  15th  of  October, 
in  the  same  year,  the  same  Governor  reported  to  have  made  a 
general  incursion,  as  above  indicated,  and  that  the  Indians  had 
been  greatly  terrified.  He  states  further  that  your  predecessor 
had  largely  contributed  to  the  success  of  the  expedition. 

In  another  letter  of  the  22d  of  December,  1760,  he  says  that 
the  Indians  were  gradually  surrendering,  and  that  for  their 
keeping  in  towns,  and  for  their  support,  he  counted  upon  the 
war  funds,  appropriated  for  the  militia  organized  to  defend 
the  land  against  incursions  by  the  Pampa  and  Serrano  In- 
dians, since   those  Indians  had  already  submitted,   and  those 


75 

troops  were  not  necessary.      In   another  letter  of  the   26th 
of  February,  17G3,  he  speaks  of  the  fervent  desire  of  the  In- 
dians in  the  settlements  or  reducciones  already  established,  and 
possibly  to  be  established  thereafter,  to  make  peace,  and  become 
converted,  provided  that  sufficient  funds  are  appropriated  for 
their  support.     He  says  also  that  this  can  be  done  by  expending 
twelve  thousand  dollars  out  of  the  fifty  or  sixty  thousand  yearly 
collected  at  the  province  of  Tucuman,  under  the  head  of  Sisa 
tax,  since  this  tax  had  been  levied  for  the  purpose  to  prevent 
and  repress  Indian  hostilities,  and  the  balance  was  fully  suffi- 
cient to  pay  the  body  of  150  men  kept  in  the  frontier.     Finally 
in  another  letter,  with  several  inclosures,  dated  October  29th, 
1759,  Don  Joaquin  de  Espinosa,  Governor  of  Tucuman,  sets 
forth  what  he  himself  did  in  the  above  mentioned  raid  and 
how    he  discovered  the  so  much  longed  for  road  to  the  in- 
terior, and    refers   also   to   the   encounters  he    had    with  the 
Indians,    the    arrangements  he    made  with   them,    the    kind- 
ness with  which  he   treated  them,  the  great  part  which  the 
Governor  of  Buenos  Ayres  took  in  this  expedition,  and  the 
claim  upon  my  Royal  benignity  of  the  officers  commanding 
the  troops    in    that  campaign,  the  costs  of  which  were  paid 
entirely  out  of  the  Sisa  funds.     And  whereas  all  of  this  has 
been  seen  and  considered  by  my  Council  of  the  Indies,  before 
which  the  opinion  of  my  Attorney  General  was  also  laid,  I  have 
decided  among  other  things,  that  no  novelty  he  made  in  ivhat 
regards  to  the  opening  of  the  way  through  the  Bermejo  river  to 
the  La  Plata,  and  I  have  appropriated  the  tithes  paid  by  the  In- 
dians of  your  province  of  Paraguay  to  cover  the  expenses  of  the 
raids  to  be  made  from  the  province  of  Buenos  Ayres,  into  the 
territory  of  the  heathens,  leaving  to  the  Governor  of  the  late 
province  the  whole  direction  of  this  matter,  on  condition  how- 
ever that  the  raids  should  not  be  repeated,  if  the  benefit  thereof 
can  be  reached  through  the  action  of  the  new  missions  estab- 
lished to  attract  the  Indians  peacefully.     And  for  the  support 
of  the  said  Indians,  when  settled  in  the  new  towns  to  be  erected, 
or  founded,  I  do  appropriate  at  once  the  sum  of  twelve  thousand 
dollars  out  of  the  Sisa  fund  of  the  province  of  Tucuman. 


76 

I  make  you  acquainted  with  all  of  this,  in  order  that  you,  on 
your  part,  may  comply  as  required  with  this  my  Eoyal  decision, 
the  same  thing  having  been  done,  on  this  very  <late,  with  the 
Governors  of  Buenos  Aires  and  Tucuman.  I  also  inform  you 
that  I  have  given  orders  to  my  Viceroy  of  Peru,  to  facilitate 
the  payment  of  the  twelve  thousand  dollars  above  mentioned, 
and  that  the  distinguished  zeal  with  which  your  predecessor 
Don  Jaime  Sanjust  acted  in  all  these  matters  has  deserved  my 
Royal  gratitude. 

Given  at  Buen  Retire  this  12th  of  February,  1764. 

I,  THE  KING. 
By  order  of  the  King  our  Lord, 

Doif  JuAx  Manuel  Crespo. 
(Three  flourishes.) 
To  the  Governor  of  Paraguay,  acquainting  him  with  certain 
measures  taken  in  consequence  of  the  raid  made  into  the 
territory  of  some  Indians  at  El  Chaco. 


vince. 


77 


EXHIBIT    C. 

No.  7. 

Royal    Lettees     Patent. 

The  King. 

To  the  Governor  and  Captain-General  of  the  city  of  La  Asun-    Royanetfert< 
cion,  and  the  province  of  Paragnay  :  Para^iirtemnf 

In  your  letters  of  December  30th,  1763,  and  January  llth^  p^t  thl  °redlFc 
1764,  you  give  information  about  the  condition  of  the  new  Indian  andAWponein 
reducciones,  est'dblished  ior  the  Ubayas  and  Abipones  Indians,  ^^^hin^his^pro 
entrusted  to  the  Fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  and  you  also 
request  me  to  grant  certain  petitions  of  the  Provincial  of  that 
society,  as  set  forth  in  the  papers  inclosed,  bearing  upon  the 
manner  of  supporting  both  rediicciones,  and  their  missionaries, 
and  upon  the  exemption  from  bondage  and  others  in  favor  of 
those  Indians.  And  all  of  this  having  been  seen  and  considered 
by  my  Council  of  the  Indies,  before  which  the  opinion  of  my 
Attorney- General  was  laid,  it  has  heen  horiie  in  mind  that  the 
Royal  Letters  Patent  sent  to  you  on  the  12th  of  February,  1764, 
fully  provided  for  the  foundation  of  towns,  the  suvport  of  mis- 
sionaries, and  all  other  expenses  to  he  incurred  by  the  said  re- 
ducciones  and  hy  all  others  to  he  estahlished  with  Indians  inhab- 
iting El  Chaco  ;  and  so  you  will  cause  said  Royal  Letters  Patent 
to  be  obeyed  and  faithfully  complied  with.  And  as  to  the  ex- 
emptions from  bondage  and  others  asked  for,  I  command  the 
Indians  in  whose  favor  the  petition  is  made  to  fall  under  the 
provisions  of  the  3d  law,  5th  title,  6th  book  of  the  Compilation 
of  the  laws  of  the  Indies,  and  do  grant  them  the  said  exemp- 
tions, as  well  as  the  privilege  not  to  pay  taxes  during  the  ten 
years  sjioken  of  in  the  same  law. 

Given  at  El  Pardo,  this  29th  of  January,  1765. 

I,  THE  KING. 

By  order  of  the  King  our  Lord, 

Don  Juan  Manual  Crespo. 
(Three  flourishes.) 
To  the  Governor  of  Paraguay,  giWng  him  notice  of  what  is  to 
be  done  to  support  the  reducciones  of  the  Ubayas  nyid  Abipones 
Indians  estahlished  in  that  province. 


78 


EXHIBIT    C. 

No.  8. 

Royal    Lettees    Patent. 

The   King. 

Joyal  letter  to  * 

!  Governor  of      io  tlie  Goveruor  and  Captain -General  of  the  province  of 

ragiiay,     rec- 

.meuding  the  Paraguay  : 

3d    treatment 

be  given  to      In  a  letter  of  the  26th  of  January,  of  the  year  immecliatelv 

)    Indians    of  .     n       . 

!  reduccion  of  preceding,  accompanied  with  several  documents,  the  information 
i  Kosary  of  Is  giveii  that  a  Cacique  of  the  Abipone  nation  had  asked  for  a 
rechiccion,  for  more  than  ninety  families;  and  that  the  residents 
of  your  city  of  La  Asuncion  not  only  received  them  with  benevo- 
lence, but  built  for  them  a  town  which  they  named  "  Our  Lady 
of  the  Rosary  of  El  Timbo,"  providing  them,  notwithstanding 
their  poverty,  with  the  stock  of  cattle  they  needed  to  support 
themselves.  Your  letter  says  further,  that  this  reduccion  was 
placed  under  the  care  of  the  Fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus; 
that  the  Indians  soon  after  commenced  to  show  themselves  un- 
easy and  inclined  to  return  to  the  mountains;  that  the  Fathers 
above  mentioned  were  expelled;  that  when  Don  Lorenzo  de  la 
Torre,  a  man  of  considerable  science  andprobity,  was  sent  there, 
he  conld  see  the  kind  of  license  which  these  Indians  wanted, 
and  the  risk  which  his  life  was  running;  that  upon  consideration 
of  all  of  this  the  decision  was  made  to  send  there  a  new  detach- 
ment of  Spaniards,  to  protect  the  missionary,  and  repress  any 
act  of  violence  or  extortion;  and  that  soon  after,  most  of  the 
Indians  liaving  fled  away,  after  killing  the  persons  they  happened 
to  meet  at  the  farm  of  a  Spaniard,  the  few  ones  who  remained, 
were  entreated  to  tell  the  fugitives  that  they  would  be  pardoned 
and  received  well,  notwithstanding  their  insults,  provided  that 
they  would  behave  better  and  obey  to  the  missionary;  all  of 
which  you  set  forth  for  the  purpose  to  be  instructed  what  your 
course  of  action  ought  to  be.  In  another  letter  of  the  12th  of 
February  following,  sent  to  me  by  your  city,  the  same  thing  is 


79 

reported,  and  several  documents  are  inclosed  to  show  the  ex- 
penses incurred  by  the  inhabitants,  in  the  establishment  of  the 
aforesaid  reduccion,  and  its  being  supplied  with  stock;  and  also 
the  steps  taken  to  convert  the  Indians  and  induce  them  to  em- 
brace the  Christian  faith,  which  liad  not  been  successful  owing 
to  the  events  above  alluded  to.  And  whereas  all  of  this  was 
seen  and  considered  by  my  Council  of  the  Indies,  before  which 
the  opinion  of  my  Attorney  General  on  the  matter  was  also  laid,  I 
have  decided  to  approve  what  you  have  done,  and  I  command 
you  to  do  the  best,  as  far  as  you  are  concerned,  in  order  that  the 
few  Abipone  Indians  remaining  at  the  reduccion,  and  all  those 
who  might  return  to  it,  receive  the  kindest  treatment,  and  to 
provide  them  with  priests,  either  secular  or  regular,  who  are 
men  of  science,  and  of  exemplary  life  and  habits,  who  will  teach 
them  in  the  proper  way.  I  further  tell  you  that  on  this  very 
date  a  communication  has  been  sent  to  the  Eev.  Bisiiop  to  the 
same  effect. 

Given  at  Madrid,  this  15th  of  July,  1769. 

I,  THE  KING. 
By  order  of  the  King  our  Lord, 

Nicolas  de  Mollinedo. 

(Three  flourishes ) 

To  the  Governor  of  Paraguay  on  the  good  treatment  to  be 
given  the  Indians  of  the  reduccion  of  Our  Lady  of  the  Rosary  of 
Timbo. 


80 


EXHIBIT   C. 

No.  9. 

MINUTES     OF     A     MEETING. 

Meeting  to  68-     ^^^  ^^'^^  '^'^^Y  of  La  Asuiicioii  of  Paraguay,  on  the  10th  of  No- 
ablish    the  re-  yember   1762 

iaiTo*fyimb6°'  At  a  meeting  of  the  ilhistrions  corporation  (1)  of  this  city, 
hehi  in  tiie  City  Hall,  and  convened  by  order  of  Don  Jose  Marti- 
nez Fontes,  captain  of  the  dragoons  of  El  Presidio  de  Buenos 
Aires  and  the  Governor  and  Captain-General  of  this  province, 
which  was  also  attended  by  the  military  officers  in  command 
here,  and  some  other  persons  of  respectability.  His  Lordship 
introducei  the  subject  by  saying  that  the  object  of  the  meeting 
was  easy  to  be  perceived,  because  it  was  suggested  by  circum- 
stances well  known  to  all,  since  ncjbody  was  ignorant  of  the 
anxiety  and  earnestness  with  which  the  Abipone  nation  had 
come  to  ns  praying  for  peace,  and  for  being  given  a  reduccion 
where  to  live,  subject  to  the  law  of  the  gospel.  That  the  great 
importance  and  the  gravity  of  this  step,  Avell  known  to  all, 
caused  him  to  suspend  the  visit  he  was  making  and  to  engage 
himself,  as  promptly  as  required  by  the  duties  of  his  position 
and  by  his  conscience,  in  the  consideration  of  this  subject,  both 
serious  and  profitable.  That  having  then  come  down  as  far  as 
the  Timbo  territory,  he  met  there  the  Cacique  and  some  of  his 
subjects,  and  listened  to  their  prayers,  examining  the  reasons 
upon  which  they  based  their  action.  That  upon  the  considera- 
tion of  those  reasons,  and  after  mature  deliberation,  he,  as  well 
as  the  Rev.  Father  Francisco  Burges  of  the  Society  of  Jesus, 
the  Quartermaster-General,  q,nd  other  persons  of  importance, 
associated  to  him  on  that  occasion,  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
those  Indians  were  sincere  in  their  professions,  and  that  they 


(1.)  The  Spanish  word  Ayuntamiento  has  been  rendered  by  "  City  Corpora- 
tion," or  "  City  (Jouncil,"  or  "  Conirnon  Council,"  to  wliich  it  is  equivalent.  It 
is  the  body  reguhiting  and  controlling  the  municipal  affairs  of  a  town  or  city. 


81 

really  wanted  to  enjoy  the  peaceful  life  of  a  Oliristian  "  reduc- 
cio7i."  This  being  the  unanimous  opinion  of  those  present,  His 
Lordship  said  to  have  proceeded  to  make  the  proper  capitula- 
tions regarding  to  peace,  and  that  he  being  acted  by  the  desire 
to  do  good  to  this,  his  most  beloved  province,  and  serve  both 
Majesties,  had  promised  to  go  to  the  same  Timbo  territory  some 
time  in  the  month  of  February  next  and  build  there  an  ade- 
quate town  suitable  to  the  comfort  and  safety  of  the  said  Indi- 
ans. That  in  acting  in  tliis  way,  and  in  binding  himself  to 
accomplish  a  thing  which  .had  to  be  so  advantageous  to  the 
whole  province,  he  did  all  that  he  could  in  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  his  position,  and  had  followed  the  dictates  of  prudence 
since  it  would  have  been  unreasonable  not  to  accept  these  utter- 
ances of  the  savages.  That  all  the  other  remedies  that  might 
be  applied  or  sought  for  in  the  said  emergency  were  neither 
safe  nor  so  profitable,  as  experience  has  shown.  That  everybody 
has  been  able  to  see  how  earnest  he  has  been  from  the  very  first 
hour  of  his  arrival  in  this  province  in  attending  personally — 
without  sparing  troubles  or  inconveniences  for  himself — to  the 
defense  and  improvement  of  this  province,  so  much  harassed 
by  the  said  nation  and  others  inhabiting  El  Chaco.  But  the 
firm  decision  he  had  formed  to  free  this  province  from  so  many 
losses  and  inconveniences  as  had  been  inflicted  upon  it  by  the 
heathen,  did  not  prove  to  be  sufficient  to  secure  our  lives  and 
property  against  the  fierceness  of  the  savages,  although  some 
other  good  things  had  been  obtained,  either  by  improving  the 
river  or  by  stimulating  industry,  or  reorganizing  the  war  branch 
of  the  government  whose  funds  he  found  exhausted.  This 
action,  although  deemed  to  be  required  and  indispensable  at 
that  time,  may  hereafter  prove  to  be  not  only  too  expensive  but 
unpromising  of  durability.  The  only  thing  which  certainly 
will  be  lasting  and  permanent,  and  will  secure  the  preservation 
of  peace,  is  the  settlement  or  foundation  above  mentioned.  His 
Lordship  does  not  fail  to  see  the  difficulties  which  the  work  has 
to  encounter.  But  it  is  a  great  work,  for  it  tends  to  gain  souls 
for  God,  and  new  subjects  for  the  King.  The  main  difficulty 
arises  out  of  the  fact  which  his  Lordship  looks  at  with  grief, 
that  neither  the  wealth  of  the  noble  people  here,  nor  the  re- 
11 


82 

sources  of  this  province  are  abundant.  But  in  spite  of  this, 
former  experience  makes  him  to  believe  and  expect  that  every 
body  will  co-o^Derate  efficiently  to  the  establishment  of  the  said 
town.  That  he  remembers  well,  and  with  great  gratitude,  the 
efforts  which  this  provincial  body  has  generously  made  on  some 
other  occasions,  not  so  pressing  as  this,  and  certainly  of  less  ad- 
vantage, and  has  brought  them  to  the  knowledge  of  the  King. 
That  now  His  Lordship  is  thoroughly  decided  to  report  again 
to  His  Majesty  Avhatever  encouragement  and  assistance  is  given 
by  this  province  for  the  establishment  of  the  new  " reduccion" 
in  order  that  His  Majesty  becomiug  acquainted  Avith  the  merits 
of  the  residents  who  would  signalize  themselves  by  their  liber- 
ality, may  give  them  the  proper  reward. 

He  finally  said  that  nothing  weuld  be  farther  from  his  mind, 
and  would  cause  him  more  grief  than  the  taxing  the  people  with- 
out kindness  and  mercy,  because  the  blessings  of  Heaven  ought  to 
be  asked  for  a  Avork  of  this  kind,  and  nothing  could  bring  more 
obstacles  to  its  accomplishment  than  acts  of  violence,  and  just 
complaints  on  the  part  of  the  public  against  all  kind  of  coercion. 
Therefore,  His  Lordship  expected,  from  the  noble  liberality  of 
these  inhabitants,  that  they  would  contribute,  as  good  vassals, 
the  cattle,  lands,  and  all  other  things  necessary  or  required  for 
such  an  useful  undertaking,  in  proportion  to  the  possibilities 
of  each  one  of  them ;  and  from  the  City  Corporation,  that  it 
would  watch  and  take  care  that  not  even  the  shade  of  violence 
be  felt  in  this  province,  sinec  bard  measures  are  always  produc- 
tive of  bad  results,  and  because  such  good  vassals,  so  much  lov- 
ing their  King,  and  so  inspired  by  the  public  good,  as  these 
inhabitants,  need  no  other  stimulant  than  the  complacency  with 
which  His  Lordship  acknowledges  their  readiuess  to  sacrifice 
themselves  in  the  service  of  the  King.  Besides  this.  His  Lord- 
ship does  not  think  to  flatter  himself  too  much  by  thinking  that 
the  affection  and  good  will  that  everybody  in  the  province  feels 
for  him  personally,  will  have  an  expression  in  causing  the  in- 
habitants to  contribute  whatever  be  necessary  for  the  fulfillment 
of  his  wishes. 

Such  is  the  good  opinion  be  entertains  of  this  much  beloved 
province,  and  such  the  hopes  he  founds  upon  the  nobleness  of 


83 

heart  of  all  these  subjects,  from  whom  he  expects  still  more  than 
he  says ;  much  the  more  so  as  he  has  no  other  interest  than  to 
acknowledge  the  many  obligations  under  which  the  King  has 
placed  him,  and  wishes  only  to  serve  both  Majesties,  and  to  pro- 
mote the  interests  and  welfare  of  this  beloved  province.  He 
further  said,  that  he  had  also  requested  the  Most  Eev.  and  Il- 
lustrious Bishop,  Don  Manuel  Antonio  de  la  Torre,  to  be  present 
at  this  meeting  to  preside  over  it,  and  to  set  forth  his  opinion 
about  the  matter  to  be  decided  here  ;  but  His  Grace  could  not 
comply  with  this  request,  owing  to  his  being  indisposed,  and  he 
wrote  a  letter  to  the  Governor  and  Captain- General,  expressing 
his  views  on  the  subject,  and  showing  the  advantages  to  be  de- 
rived therefrom  in  the  service  of  both  Majesties,  which  letter 
was  read  and  ordered  to  be  appended  and  made  a  part  of  these 
minutes. 

The  members  of  the  City  Council  and  all  others  present,  both 
military  and  civilians,  after  attentively  listening  to  these  re- 
marks, answered  unanimously  that  the  foundation  of  the  pro- 
posed town  was  greatly  advantageous  to  the  service  of  both 
Majesties,  and  the  good  of  this  province,  and  that  they  all  would 
freely  contribute  the  sums  which  the  limits  of  their  possibilities 
may  permit  them.  They  also  resolved  that  the  proper  persons 
would  be  appointed,  both  in  the  city  and  in  the  rural  districts, 
to  go  kindly  to  the  inhabitants  thereof,  and  ask  of  them  the 
contributions  and  donations  herein  spoken  of. 

With  tliis  the  meeting  adjourned. 

In  testimony  whereof,  the  undersigned  have  sub- 
scribed their  names  hereto,  as  I  certify. 

Jose  Martinez  Fontes, 
Jose  Antonto  Carrillo, 
Pedro  Monge, 
Juan  Bautista  de  Goiri, 
Jose  Canete, 
Francisco  de  Ascona, 
Kafael  Tullo, 

FULGENCIO  de  YeGROS, 

Juan  Jose  Gamarra, 


I 


84 

Peudencio'  Conteeras, 
Lorenzo  Eecalde, 
Jose  de  Eoa, 
Juan  Jose  de  los  Eios, 
Francisco  de  Medina, 
Jose  Borbon, 
Francisco  Espinola, 
Manuel  de  Ordas  y  Robles, 
Juan  Esteban  Bogado, 
Antonio  de  Vera  Aragon, 
Sebastian  de  Leon  y  Zarate, 
V.  Jose  del  Cazal, 

Jose  Luis  Barreieo, 
Jose  Fortunato  Ruiz  de  Arellano. 
Juan  Miguel  de  Sugasti, 
Francisco  de  Aguero, 
Domingo  de  Flecha. 
Before  me, 

Lucas  Diaz   Cantos, 

Notary  Public,  and   Cleric  of  the  Govern- 
ment and  the  City  Council. 

Note. — The  letter  of  the  Bishop,  which  in  the  original  was  appended  here- 
to, merely  expresses  the  Bishop's  approval  of  the  scheme  for  a  new  town  to 
which  the  preceding  refers.  For  this  reason  we  have  omitted  to  copy  and 
translate  said  letter. 


85 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  10. 

Peoceedings   of  a  Meeting. 

.Meeting  for  the  improvement  of  the  same  "  reduccio7i." 

In  the  City  of  La  Asuncion  of  Paraguay,  on  the  ilth  day  of 
August,  1766,  a  public  meeting  of  the  City  Corporation  having 
been  called  by  the  Governor  and  Captain-General  of  this 
province,  to  take  some  action  in  regard  to  the  proposition  made 
in  one  letter  of  political  character,  and  before  it  verbally  by 
Rev.  Father  Geronimo  Eejon,  instructor  and  pastor  in  charge 
of  the  Abipones  "  I'educcion"  to  transfer  the  town  of  the  same 
reduccion  to  some  other  place,  deemed  by  him  more  convenient, 
at  about  one  league  from  where  it  is  at  present,  for  the  reasons 
stated  at  length  in  the  said  letter,  and  also  upon  the  petition  of 
the  same  Eev.  Father,  to  be  given  the  proper  funds  to  make 
that  transfer  and  to  support  the  families,  on  a  certain  perma- 
nent way,  the  members  of  tlie  illustrious  corporation,  and  the 
principal  and  most  prominent  men  in  town  came  together, 
under  the  Presidency  of  the  Governor,  and  Captain-General, 
and  commenced  by  ordering  the  aforesaid  letter  to  be  read  : 
Then  the  Governor,  taking  into  consideration,  as  he  said,  how 
beneficial  would  be  to  tlie  service  of  God  our  Lord,  any  im- 
provements made  in  the  said  "  re^wccio/i,"  moved  a  liberal 
donation  of  cattle  and  other  things  necessary  to  be  made  in 
favor  of  it,  since  this  was  the  way  in  which  the  permanent 
sui^port  thereof  by  itself  could  be  reached.  Thereupon  the 
attendants  tendered  their  offerings,  as  stated  in  the  list  made  to 
the  effect.  And  as  many  other  residents  had  not  attended  the 
meeting,  His  Lordship  decided  to  give  authority  to  all  justices 
and  authorities  within  the  territorial  jurisdiction  of  this  City, 
to  collect  donations  through  all  the  territory. 

Then  the  public  meeting  adjourned,  the  Governor  having 
before  tendered  his  thanks  to  the  citizens  present  for  the  dona- 


86 

tions  they  made.    The  letter  of  the  Father  iustrnctor    was 
ordered  to  be  copied  at  the  foot  of  this  instrument. 

In  testimony  Avhereof,  the  attendants  subscribed  their  names 
hereto,  as  I  certify. 

FULGENCIO  DE  YeGEOS, 

Jose  A]srTO]srio  Carrillo, 
Pablo  Cabanas, 
Jose  Antonio  Agosta  Freire, 
ToMAS  Davalos  y  Peralta, 
Jose  del  Cazal, 
Antonio  Caballero  de  Anasco, 
Domingo  Antonio  Bermudez, 
Juan  Jose  Gamarra, 
Bernardo  de  Haedo, 
Vincente  Anselmo  de  Fleitas, 
Marcos  Salinas, 
Martin  de  Asuaga, 
Jose  Ferreira  Suarez, 
Blas  Bareiro, 
Pedro  Jose  de  Vera, 
Jose  Ignacio  Moreno, 
Olegario  Mora. 
Before  me, 

Lucas  Diaz  Cantero, 

Notary  Public  and  Clerk  fur  tlie  Governor 
and  the  City  Council. 

Note. — The  letter  of  the  Father  instructor  above  cited,  copied  at  tlie  foot  of 
the  preceding  instrument,  only  contains  the  arguments  made  hy  him  in  iavor 
of  the  removal  of  the  town  to  another  place,  and  the  asking  for  contributions 
for  its  support  and  increase,  is  the  reason  why  we  have  omitted  to  copy  and 
translate  said  letter. 


87 


EXHIBIT   0. 

No.  11. 

In  the  city  of  La  Asuncion,  of  Paraguay,  on  the  10th  day  of  Meeting  tot 
January,  1767,  at  a  public  meeting  of  the  City  Council,  attended  ^*™®  ^^'®''*- 
■by  other  citizens  of  this  town,  and  of  the  rural  districts,  called 
by  order  of  Don  Carlos  Morfi,  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the 
Army  of  His  Majesty  (whom  God  may  preserve),  and  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Captain-General  of  tins  province,  the  aforesaid 
Governor  addressed  the  attendants,  and  set  forth  that  in  order 
to  maintain  and  improve  the  " recluccion"  of  the  Abipone 
Lidians,  a  contribution  of  cattle  of  every  kind  was  to  be  made 
by  this  province,  and,  consequently,  he  made  the  request  that 
each  one  of  the  attendants  would  give  something,  according 
to  their  means.  Whereupon  the  attendants  made  the  offer- 
ings which  appear  from  the  list  which  was  drawn  up  to  that 
effect ;  and  after  this  the  public  meeting  adjourned.  In  witness 
whereof  the  attendants  subscribed  their  names  hereto,  as  I 
certify. 

Cablos  Morfi, 

Antonio  Caballeko  de  Anasco, 

Bernardo  de  Otazu, 

Luis  Xavier  de  Cortazar, 

Jose  CaJJete, 

Jose  Antonio  Carrillo, 

Jose  Antonio  Acosta, 

Sebastian  de  Leon  Sarate, 

Cristobal  Dominguez  Obelar, 

Francisco  Xavier  Benitez, 

Jose  de  la  Pena, 

Julian  Legal, 

Juan  Miguel  Sugasti, 

Marcos  Salinas, 

Pedro  Miguel  Burde, 


Vicente  Maktines  Viai^a, 
Beenakdo  de  Haedo, 
Domingo  Antonio  Beemudez, 
Jose  Ferreira  Suares, 
Eestban  Tdsaurralde, 
Juan  Jose  Eolon, 
Rafael  Servin, 
Juan  Felix  Fernandez, 
Leon  Gimenez, 

Before  me, 

Lucas  Diaz  Canteros, 

Notary  Public  and  the  Clerk  for  the  Governor 
ayid  the  Citij  Council. 


89 


EXHIBIT   C. 

No.  12. 
In  the  citv  of  La  Asuncion,  of  Paraaruay,  on  the  1st  of  June,   Proceedings  of 

-  kd       J '  j.]jg  meeting   in 

1776,  at  a  meeting  of  the  City  Council,  held  in  the  City  Hall,  which  arrange- 

-Ti  ,-i^.-mentswere 

under  the  presidency  of  Col.  Don  Agustin  iernando  de  Pineda,  made  with  caci- 

,  ,     -,  111       T.ues     Etazurin, 

Captain-General  of  this  Province,  and  attended  moreover  by  the  and  others,  of  ei 
heads  of  several  offices  of  the  Government,  both  military  and ush there  anew 
civil,  and  other  distinguislied  persons,  it  was  said:  That  the  '^  "'^"*^- 
Indians,  Don  Etazurin  Nasac,  Cacique  and  General  of  several 
heathen  nations  who  inhabit  the  Great  Chaco  and  Peleysogur, 
who  is  also  a  Cacique  of  the  same  people,  have  arrived  in 
this  city,  where  they  have  come  by  order  of  the  Governor-Gen- 
eral, and  of  this  City  Council  transmitted  to  the  military 
Governor  of  the  City  of  Santa  Fe,  for  the  purpose  to  make 
final  arrangements  for  the  "  reduccion"  they  want  to  be  granted, 
as  particularly  shown  in  the  resolutions  adopted  on  the  26th  of 
March,  instant.  And  then,  as  those  two  Caciques  were  present 
at  the  meeting,  it  was  re,solved  unanimously  to  interrogate  them 
whether  they  are  willing  to  settle  in  tlie  iitlace  (Los  Remolinos) 
where  the  whii'l^jools  are,  wiihhi  the  territorial  jurisdiction  of 
this  province,  SiXidi  to  evabYHGQ  the  holy  faith  of  Jesus  Christ, 
observe  the  commandments  of  his  divine  religion,  and  keep 
themselves  in  peace  with  this  province  and  its  inhabitants,  and 
with  all  Christians  living  in  these  countries  or  navigating  on  the 
river  at  wliose  banks  they  must  settle.  These  questions  were 
then  asked  of  them,  both  in  Spanish  and  in  the  Guarani  lan- 
guages ;  but  they  failed  to  understand  either  of  the  said  lan- 
guages. Then  Don  Fulgencio  Chaparro,  and  Don  Sebastian 
Sitalin,  were  appointed  interpreters,  the  former  because  he  had 
been  held  in  captivity  by  that  tribe,  had  been  raised  among  them, 
and  had  learned  their  language;  and  the  latter,  who  is  the 
Cacique  of  the  Town  of  San  Javier,  within  the  territorial  juris- 
diction of  the  City  of  Santa  Fe,  because  he  was  acquainted  also 
with   the    same  language.       Both   interpreters   being  present 

12 


90 

showed  their  readiness  to  act  as  such,  and  before  me,  the  under- 
signed notary,  promised,  upon  oath,  made  by  them  in  due  form 
of  law,  to  discharge  faithfully  the  duties  of  their  position  ; 
whereupon  they  addressed  the  two  Caciques  above  named,  and 
propounded  to  them  the  questions  hereinbefore  stated. 
The  two  Indians  answered,  through  the  said  inter- 
preters, that  they  Avould  accept  all  tliat  was  proposed 
to  them  ;  that  their  true  desire  was  to  profess  the  faith  of 
Jesus  Christ;  and  that  they  would  act  honestly  with  all 
Christians  passing  through  their  territory  or  navigating  on  the 
river.  In  view  of  this  expression  of  their  feelings, 
which  the  Indians  said  to  be  their  own  feelings,  and  the  feel- 
ings of  the  people  whom  they  represented,  it  was  resolved, 
without  any  dissenting  vote,  to  go  on  and  adjust  the  terms  and 
conditions  upon  which  peace  is  to  be  established  and  secured; 
it  being  understood  that  the  stipulations  to  be  agreed  to  at 
present  are  to  be  faithfully  enforced,  both  in  the  "  reduccion  " 
itself,  and  in  the  whole  province,  since  they  must  provide  for 
everything  necessary  to  perpetuate  the  new  settlement,  and  keep 
peace  and  good  order  within  its  limits,  if  the  Indians  really  act 
as  they  promise.  First  of  all,  the  province  promises  the  prin- 
cipal Cacique  of  those  Indians,  to  give  him  now,  as  a  token  of 
the  esteem  in  which  he  himself  and  his  people  are  held  by  the 
province,  the  following  presents,  which  will  be  paid  out  of  the 
war  funds  of  the  Grovernment.  to  wit:  A  coat,  garnished  with 
galloon  ;  a  pair  of  pants,  fixed  in  the  same  way;  and  a  hat  of 
the  same  kind ;  one  shirt  and  drawers  of  white  linen  ;  a  cloak, 
or  wrapper,  and  a  silver-headed  cane,  as  becomes  to  his  person. 
The  other  Cacique,  his  companion,  and  the  chiefs  accompanying 
him,  shall  be  given  also  some  adequate  presents.  And  in  order 
to  show  the  friendly  disposition  of  this  province,  Lieutenant 
Don  Bernardo  Aris,  tvho  is  the  citizen  loho,  at  his  own  cost, 
brought  here  those  chiefs,  will  go  bach  with  them,  and  keep  them 
company,  imtil  reaching  their  encampments,  where  he  loill  de- 
liver to  the  other  Gaciqnes  who  remained  there,  tlie presents  sent 
to  them  ;  after  which  he  will  return  here  with  all  of  them. 
That  in  the  meantime  that  this  indispensable  operation  is  made, 
since  the  Indians  have  to  come  with  their  squaws  and  their  chil- 


91 

dren,  and  property,  the  province  will  cause  the  proper  quarters, 
and  also  a  chcspel  to  be  jirovided  for  them,  upon  this  bank  of 
the  river,  at  the  place  which  may  be  deemed  best, and  more  suit- 
able for  agricultural  labors.  When  the  population  upon  this 
side  of  the  river  be  excessive,  or  out  of  proportion  with  the  ex- 
tent of  territory  granted  the  reduction,  thett  a  settlenieitf  luill  be 
made  on  the  other  side.  In  order  to  better  succeed  in  all  of  this, 
the  province  promises  the  Indians  to  appoint  persons  of  discre- 
tion, learning  and  good  behavior,  to  make  a  tour  of  inspection 
all  over  the  territory,  and  select  the  best  place  for  the  Indians 
to  reside  in,  and  there  the  town  will  be  built.  The  election  of 
these  persons  took  place,  and  resulted  in  favor  of  the  2d  Alcalde, 
the  Solicitor  General  of  the  (Jity  Council,  the  Serjeant  Major  of 
the  town,  and  Don  Anselmo  de  Fleitas,  Commissioner  of  Cav- 
alry, whose  distinguished  circumstances  are  well  known  to  all, 
and  to  whom  the  proj)er  instructions  will  be  given  by  the  Cap- 
tain-General. Furthermore,  tlie  province  promises  the  Indians 
to  furnish  the  *'  reduccion"  with  the  stock  of  cattle  of  all  kinds 
required  for  the  support  of  the  inhabitants ;  but  the  number 
of  head  cannot  be  fixed  until  the  result  of  the  donations,  im- 
mediately to  be  asked  for,  to  the  same  effect,  is  not  ascertained. 
The  Government  of  this  reduction  will  l)e  administered  by  a 
Boss  {capataz),  who  will  be  a  Spaniard,  appointed  by  the  prov- 
ince ;  and  he,  following  the  directions  of  the  priest,  who  will  be 
assigned  to  duty  in  the  same  "  reduccion,"  will  be  particular  not 
to  incur  more  expenses  than  those  strictly  necessary,  since  the 
circumstances  of  the  province  are  difficult  enough,  owing  to 
the  repeated  cattle  robberies  by  the  El  Chaco  Indians, 
to  which  it  has  been  subjected.  As  to  the  cultivation  of 
their  lands,  assigned  to  them,  the  province  will  contribute 
oxen,  tools,  and  seeds,  as  soon  as  the  Indians  will  commence  to 
work.  No  one  of  the  promises  herein  made  shall  be  left  unful- 
filled in  any  thing  ;  and  on  the  contrary,  the  favors  which  they 
imply  shall  be  increased  as  the  facilities  of  the  province  may 
permit,  according  to  the  practical  results  of  all  these  measures. 
The  interpreters  transmitted  to  the  Caciques  the  seven  capitu- 
lations hereinbefore  set  forth,  one  after  another,  and  they  agreed 
to  them,  showing  in  their  faces  the  i)leasure  they  felt,  and  giving 


92 

thanks  through  the  same   interpreters  to   the  President   and 
members  of  the  Council,  and  to  all  the  attendants. 

At  this  point  it  Avas  resolved,  further,  to  show  the  Indians, 
through  the  interpreters,  the  uecessity  in  which  they  were  to  be 
informed  of  the  obligations  under  which  they  placed  themselves, 
and  the  duties  they  contracted,  in  due  correspondence  of  the 
peace  and  amity  offered  to  them  by  the  province,  and  of  the  con- 
tributions for  their  support,  and  all  other  expenses  above  stated, 
so  that  the  said  peace  may  become  perpetual  and  never  to  be 
broken.  So  the  interpreters  did,  and  the  Indians  replied,  through 
them,  that  they  would  listen  with  pleasure  to  every  thing  told 
them,  and  would  answer  accordingly.  First  of  all,  they  were 
told  that  they  had  to  admit  a  priest,  to  act  as  curate,  or  pastor, 
and  learn  from  him  the  tenets  of  our  holy  religion ;  and  that  they 
ought  to  respect  and  reverence  him  as  a  minister  of  the  Most 
High.  Second,  That  the  infant  children  brought  by  them  must 
be  baptized,  when  deemed  advisable  by  said  priest ;  that  the 
same  thing  ^ill  be  done  with  all  the  children  born  within  the 
"  reduccion  ;"  and  that  the  Indians  will  offer  no  objection  or 
obstacle  of  any  kind,  either  to  this  christening  of  their  children 
or  to  the  teaching  of  the  Christian  doctrine  by  the  aforesaid 
priest,  to  all  those  in  position  to  learn  it.  Third,  That  one  of 
the  children  of  each  Cacique,  as  soon  as  he  reaches  the  age  of  six 
years,  shall  be  delivered  to  the  Governor,  to  be  placed  by  him  in 
charge  of  the  family  deemed  best  by  him,  to  be  educated  and 
baptized,  at  the  proper  time.  This  family  will  attend  to  the 
decent  dressing  of  the  child,  and  to  all  other  things  becoming 
to  his  rank.  Fourth,  That  the  Indian  warriors  of  their  com- 
mand will  not  be  allowed  to  emigrate  to  this  province,  or  its 
neighborhood,  either  by  land  or  by  the  river,  or  even  to  enter 
the  settlements  on  the  coast  down  here,  unless  they  have  a  spe- 
cial permission  of  the  Captain  General,  to  be  granted  by  him 
according  to  his  discretion,  and  when  solicited  through  the 
priest;  and  then  said  warriors  will  be  accompanied  by  Spanish 
soldiers,  in  order  to  prevent  the  Paraguayans,' who  keep  them- 
selves under  allegiance  to  the  Saniards,  to  cause  them  any  in- 
jury, or  vice  versa.  Fifth,  That  they  must  not  depend  exclu- 
sively for  their  support  upon  the  cattle  now  given  to  their  settle- 
ment ;  but  will  take  care  of  said  cattle,  cultivate  the  lands,  and 


93 

raise,  for  their  own  benefit,  as  abundant  crops  as  practicable. 
Sixth,  That  they  must  defend  the  coasts,'and  be  vigilant  oyer  th6 
fords  and  crossings  upon  tlie  river,  to  see  whether  any  hostile 
tribes  are  coming  this  way,  or  have  already  crossed  the  bound- 
ary ;  and  any  thing  of  that  kind,  discovered  by  them,  shall  be 
reported  immediately  to  the  officer  commanding  the  fort  to  be 
erected  near  the  whirlpools.  The  foregoing  terms  and  con- 
ditions were  transmitted,  and  explained  by  the  interpreters  to 
the  Caciques,  and  they  fully  agreed  to  all  of  them,  promising  to 
comply  with  tliem  in  all  respects.  In  view  of  this,  the  meeting 
resolved  further  to  report  in  full  to  His  Majesty  what  has  been 
done,  and  that  the  report  be  shaped  as  resolved  at  the  meeting 
of  the  26th  of  March,  relative  to  the  gratuitous  donations  of 
cattle  made  by  these  inhabitants  to  carry  the  settlement  into 
effect  and  to  support  the  Indians  to  be  collected  therein.  The 
inteiiireters  deposed  to  have  truly  aud  faithfully  discharged  their 
duties  of  such,  as  promised  by  them  under  oath,  which  they  re- 
peat and  ratify  at  the  present  moment. 

In  witness  whereof,   the   attendants   have  hereto  subscribed 

their  names. 

Agustin  Ferxaxdo  de  Pinedo, 

Diego  de  Ocampos, 
Pedro  Peretra, 
Bernardino  Eobledo, 
Francisco  Javier  Benitez, 
Jose  Ca:Sete, 
Bernardo  de  Haedo, 
Fermin  de  Arredondo, 
Fernando  Larios  Garban, 

FULGENCIO  ChAPARRO, 

Salvador  Cabanas  y  Ampuero, 
Blas  de  Samaniego, 
EsTEBAN  Diaz  Barbosa, 
Luis  Jose  Pereira, 
Francisco  Genes, 
Jose  Antonio  Yegros. 
Before  me,  (Here  29  more  signatures.) 

Pedro  Alcantara  Rodriguez, 
Notary  Public,  and  the  Clerk  for  the  Governor  and  Council. 


94 


EXHIBIT    C. 

No.  13. 

Proceedings  of  lu  the  citj  of  La  Asuncioii  of  Paragua}",  on  the  6th  day  of 
make  arrange-  March,  1778,  at  a  speclal  meeting  of  this  City  Conucil,  called  by 
Mbocobi Indians  the  fii'st  Alcalde,  presided  over  by  the  Governor  and  Captain- 
ion"  atEicha"co' General  (the  Solicitor-General  of  the  city  being  in  attendance), 
and  held  in  the  City  Hall,  as  usnal,  to  confer  about  matters  of 
public  interest,  and  promote  the  best  service  of  both  Majesties, 
and  the  good  of  this  Eepublic.  His  Lordship,  the  Governor, 
addressed  the  present,  and  said:  "That  when  he  was  coming 
here,  and  stopped  at  the  Eemolinos  town  (1),  he  met  there  some 
Caciques  of  the  Mbocovi  nation,  who  had  been  waiting  for  him 
three  days,  for  the  purpose  to  confer,  as  they  did,  with  His 
Lordship,  and  make  peace  with  this  province,  and  who  said, 
tliat  if  a  tovm  is  built  for  them  on  the  other  side  of  this  river 
{at  El  Ohaco),  they  would  bring  there  their  families,  amounting 
in  all  to  three  hundred  people,  more  or  less,  besides  inducing 
others  afterwards  to  do  the  same  thing."  The  Caciques,  added 
the  Governor,  "had  designated  the  spot  where  they  wanted  to 
settle  ;  but  the  assistance  of  the  province,  in  the  way  of  supplies 
cattle  and  other  necessaries,  was  deemed  to  be  indispensable 
for  rendering  this  settlement  permanent  and  successful,  and 
securing  the  faithful  friendship  of  its  inhabitants."  The  Gov- 
ernor said  further,  that  he  had  kindly  listened  to  the  said  pro- 
posals, and  promised  the  Caciques  to  do  as  they  wanted  as  soon 
as  he  Avould  take  possession  of  his  office,  and  would  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  resources  of  the  province,  and  that  in  the 
meanwhile  they  Avould  be  permitted  to  go  as  far  as  the  Eemoli- 
nos town,  where  they  would  be  informed  at  the  proper  time  of 
the  decision  reached  by  the  council,  or  be  called  here  to  be  heard 
to  decide  what  would  be  best  for  the  service  of  both  Majesties, 
and  the  welfare  of  this  Eepublic.     That  in  consequence  of  all  of 


(1)  The  town  of  the  whirlpools. 


95 

this,  two  of  tlie  Caciques,  above  referred  to,  have  arrived  in  this 
city,  and  are  anxious  to  Ji:now  what  disposition  is  made  of  their 
case ;  and  tliat,  therefore,  the  present  meeting  has  been  called 
in  order  to  hear  a  free  expression  of  the  views  of  the  people, 
since  the  only  thing  wanted  by  him  was  to  act  rightly.  The 
members  of  the  City  Council  and  those  present  stated  that  they 
are  ready  to  grant  the  said  tribes  of  Mbocovis  Indians  the  "  re- 
ducciones"  they  wanted  on  the  same  terms  of  the  grant  of  1776, 
notwithstanding  the  extreme  poverty  and  scarcity  of  cattle  to 
which  this  province  has  been  reduced  owing  to  the  great  num- 
ber of  head  they  gave  away  for  the  support  of  the  same  Indians 
and  to  the  consumption  by  the  Spaniards  of  the  little  amount 
that  was  left.  All  of  this  appears  from  the  record  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  this  corporation  at  the  time  above  cited;  and  if  the 
settlement  then  was  not  a  success,  its  failure  w^as  due  only  to 
disagreements  among  the  Indians  themselves,  and  to  the  death 
of  their  Cacique,  Don  A_tazurin.  They  said  further,  that  if  the 
Indians  were  willing  to  comply  with  the  stipulations  and  agree- 
ments made  with  them  on  the  first  of  June,  1776,  at  a  meeting 
of  this  council,  there  is  no  objection  for  the  said^^Indians  to 
have  what  they  want  at  present ;  but  that  it  is  indispensable 
for  His  Lordship  to  report  to  His  Majesty,  and  in  the  meantime 
to  the  Viceroy  of  Buenos  Ay  res,  setting  forth  the  deplorable  con- 
dition of  this  province  and  the  repeated  donations  it  has  been 
asked  for,  and  made,  for  which  reason  it  is  to  be  taken  as  certain 
that  the  settlement  will  be  a  failure,  if  the  four  thousand  dollars 
and  other  subsidies,  appropriated  by  the  royal  law,  are  not  given 
to  it,  as  it  is  done  in  tlie  City  of  Buenos  Ayres,  where  a  certain 
branch  of  the  royal  revenue  is  set  apart  for  this  purpose  of  In- 
dian "  reducciones"  and  settlements. 

The  Governor  said  then  that  he  would  do  his  best  to  act  as 
stated  by  the  council,  because  in  doing  so  he  would  serve  God 
and  the  King.  Thereupon  he  caused  the  above  mentioned 
agreements  and  stipulations  made  at  the  meeting  of  June  1st, 
1776,  to  be  read  to  the  Caciques ;  and  they,  through  an  Indian 
of  their  tribe,  named  Antonio,  who  was  conversant  with  the 
Spanish  language,  ratified  and  affirmed  the  said  agreements  and 
stipulations,  and  promised  to  keep  them  faithfully  and  comply 


96 

with  them.  The  Governor  told  them  moreover  that  another 
covenant  to  be  made  with  them,  or  condition  to  be  kept,  was 
that  they  would  never  go  to  the  interior  of  El  Chaco  and  pro- 
voke the  Indians  living  there,  who  are  still  wild,  and  conse- 
quently their  foes,  this  being  required  owing  to  the  bad  results 
to  be  expected  from  a  war,  both  uncalled  for  and  unnecessary. 
But  if  said  tribes  of  wild  Indians  would  come  near  this  settle- 
ment now  referred  to,"and  insult  the  settlers,  then  His  Lordship 
promises  them  to  give  them  due  assistance  of  men  and  arms  to 
punish  their  audacity.  He  told  them  further  that  it  was  re- 
quired from  them  not  to  go  over  the  adjoining  provinces  to  rob 
horses  or  cattle,  nor  commit  any  act  of  hostility  against  the 
inhabitants  of  said  provinces,  who  were  Christians,  and  whose 
peace  ought  not  to  be  disturbed  ;  it  being  understood  that  the 
inhabitants  of  this  province  shall  not  purchase  from  them  any 
horses  or  cattle  of  any  kind.  Antonio,  the  interpreter,  explained 
all  of  this  to  them  in  their  vernacular  language,  and  they 
acceded  thereto  with  j^leasure,  and  promised  to  do  faithfully  as 
instructed.  In  testimony  whereof  the  attendants  have  hereunto 
subscribed  their  names. 

Pedho  Melo  de  Poetugal, 
Jose  Taboada, 

Antonio  Caballero  de  Anasco, 
Bernardino  Eobledo, 
Francisco  Xavier  Benitez, 
Jose  Canete, 
Bernardo  de  Haedo, 
Fermin  de  Arredondo, 
Francisco  Xavier  Arevalo. 
Before  me, 

Pedro  Alcantara  Eodriguez, 

Notary  Public  and  the  Clerk  for  the  Governor 
and  Council. 


97 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  U. 

Note. — It  appears  from  the  extensive  minutes,  recording  the       Foundation 
proceedings  at  a  meeting  of  the  City  Council,  held  on  the  25 tli  d«cacn"  named 
of  May,  1778  (page  83  of  the  Journal  of  the  City  Council),  that  soiano o/iibocoM 
on  the  date  above  said  a  resolution  was  passed  requesting  the  chaco!^ 
Governor  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal  personally  to  go  to  the 
locality  pointed  out  by  the  Indians,  and  to  establish  there  the 
"  rednccmi "  asked  for  by  them  ;  and  so  it  was  done  on   the 
following  day,  as  promised  to  the  Indians.     From  that  date, 
therefore  the  "  reduccion "  named  of  "  San  Francisco  Solano 
MbocoMs  Indians  "  was  established.     This  is  shown  by  a  letter 
of  the  catechist  j)riest.  Father  Jose  Moreno  Agiiero,  who  com- 
menced his  labors  since  the  foundation  of  the  settlement.     This 
letter  was  copied  at  page  156  of  said  journal,  and  is  the  one  con- 
stituting the  following  exhibit : 


13 


98 


EXHIBIT  C. 

Xo.  15. 

Letter  of     Sir, — Yesterclav,    the    first    of    this     month,    the    Cacique 

iu  charge" otMhe  Eleiicoide  Came  here  from  the  other  side  of  the  Bermejo  river, 

san'^'^'FmnHsci ^^   envoj  of  Amclcoiii,  who  will  come  also,  with  great  many 

GowrnorofPar^P^^P^^?  i^^  ^^^^  coLirse  of  six  Or  eight  days.     I  cannot  say  exactly 

aguay.  ^j-jg  i^^nibcr  of  families  he  will  bring  ;  but  lie  says  that  his  whole 

tribe  will  be  here.     The  same  thing  has  been  told,  me  by  those 

already  arrived  ;  and  if  it  be  so,  Ave  shall  have  here  five  hundred 

or  six  hundred  souls.     I  report  this  to  you,  and.  accompany  the 

request  to  give  us  some  assistance,  in  the  way  of  donations  of 

cattle,  because   we  have  but  fifteen  head  of  cattle  lately  sent 

here  from  there,  and  thirty  of  the  ones  raised  here.     The  latter 

is  also  destined  for  the  consumption  of  the  Toba  Indians.     So 

far  their  Cacique  has 'spared  much ;  but  they  come  in  bands  day 

after  day,  and  many  go  back  discontented,  although  others  show 

themselves  satisfied. 

Send  also  some  corn  and  salt,  if  you  have  any. 
I  inform  you  further  that  the  Lenguas  Indians  have  sent  me 
word  through  the  Tobas,  showing  the  desire  to  see  me,  and  sell 
a  female  captive  they  have,  and  also  negotiate  peace  with  you 
and  with  this  province.  Without  the  commanding  officer  or 
myself  having  taken  any  action  upon  this,  other  Indians  of  the 
same  tribe  who  were  here  went  away  to  bring  here  three  of  them. 
You  will  oblige  us  by  saying  what  course  must  Ave  take  when 
they  come.  The  captain  will  give  to  you  two  hatchets  belonging 
to  Cacique  Amelcoin,  which  he  wishes  to  haA'e  mended  ;  and 
we  are  in  great  need  of  others  for  ourselves,  and  also  of  tobacco. 
No  other  thing  to  be  j^i^t  in  your  knowledge  happens  at 
present. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 
Reservation  of  San  Francisco  Solano,  July  2d,  1779. 
Your  most  humble  Chaplain, 

FE.  JOSE  MARIANO  AGUERO. 
To  the  Governor  and  Captain-General  of  the  province,  Don 
Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal. 


99 

EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  16. 

The  Tobas  Indians,  wlio  always  were  bitter  enemies  of  this  Gove^mor  of par^ 
province,  and  caused  considerable  trouble  in  the  Villetta  and  l^i  measures 
Cumbarity  districts  by  committing  innumerable  murders  and  ^^the'^new'^re- 
robberies,  have  now  asked  for  peace,  and  want  to  be  kept  in  a  ^5^^^^"^"" "  **  ^^ 
"  reduccion:'     Notwithstanding  that  we  have  no  funds  where 
with   to   build   a   town,  nor  cattle   enough   to   support    those 
Indians,  who  certainly  cannot  be  kept  in  peace  with  this  pro- 
vince if  not  provided  with  food,  I  have  acceded  to  their  desires, 
confiding  that  the  inliabitants  of  the  abovenamed  districts  will 
contribute  the  amount  of  cattle  and  other  things  necessary  for 
the  said  "  reduccion,''^  in  which  they  have  such  a  prominent  in- 
terest, for  themselves  personally,  and  for  their  own  families  and 
property,  until  His  Majesty,  whom  I  will  report  all  about  it,  be 
pleased,  m  his  Eoyal  mercy,  to  appropriate  the  funds  required 
for  tlie  support,  both  of  tlie  reservation  herein  referred  to,  and 
the   other,   also  founded  by   me,   at   Eemolinos  (Whirlpools). 
Whereupon,  I  have  directed  Don  Antonio  Palacios,  a  Commis- 
sioner  of   this   Government,  to   call  a  meeting  of  the  ^iersons 
whose   names  appear  from   the  list  annexed  hereto,  and  then 
read  to  them  this  dispatch,  and  ask  of  them  the  contributions 
of  cattle   necessary  for   the   purpose.     The  said  Commissioner 
will  place  himself  at  the  head  of  the  list  of  subscription,  and 
give  the  others  example  by  subscribing  a  liberal  sum.     And  I 
hope  that  the  liberality  of  those  residents  will  not  fail     .     .     . 

.  .  .  . — (here  a  hole  in  the  paper),  the  just  petition  ad- 
dressed to  them. 

The  spiritual  good  of  those  Indians  will  be  secured,  since  they 
show  disposition  to  become  converted  to  our  Holy  Law,  and  it 
is  easy  to  see  how  much  tliose  residents  and  their  families  will 
gain  by  securing  a  peace,  which  will  enable  them  to  cultivate 
their  lands  without  being  subjected  to  the  invasions  which  have 
troubled  them  so  much  on  the  part  of  that  hostile  Indian 
nation. 

The  Commissioner  aforesaid  will  give  me  an  account  of  all  his 
proceedings. 

Asuncion,  Februarv  7,  1T82. 

PEDRO  MELO  DE  PORTUGAL. 


100 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.   17. 

Letter  of  the     The  RemoHiios  boat  will  leave  to-morrow,  and  carry  to  your 

^ay^euuN^To  place,  to  be  delivered  to  Juan  Simon  ISTogueras,  and  to  your 

of^a  to°wiffn*the  disposal,   a  lot  of  articles  necessary  to  start  tlie  "  reduccion:' 

MErchlw':""'"  These  articles   are  the   following:       Thirty  hatchets,   twelve 

chisels,  four  spades,  six  shovels,  two  adzes,  six  iron  bars,  four 

cutlasses,  a  bale  of  hay,  a  parcel  of  tobacco,  and  two  large  canoes 

to  transport  the  people  and  the  articles  themselves.     No  salt  is 

sent  now  because  none  has  been  received.     We  have  no   iron 

kettles   to   cook   in,   but   clay   ones   can   do   as   well   for    the 

moment. 

The  proper  orders  have  been  given  for  the  corn,  oxen,  and 
laborers  you  have  asked  for.  The  only  thing  left  to  you,  then, 
is  to  leave  as  soon  as  possible  and  commence  to  work,  providing 
for  everything  required,  and  acting  in  such  a  way  as  to  show 
your  earnestness  in  having  the  new  town  settled  at  once.  To 
that  effect  I  give  you  full  power  to  act,  and  I  have  directed  the 
military  officers  commanding  there  to  assist  you  in  everything 
you  may  ask  of  them  by  virtue  of  this  letter,  which  shall  be 
taken  as  a  special  order. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 
Asuncion,  February  9th,  1782. 

PEDRO  MELO  DE  PORTUGAL. 
To  D.  Mauricio  Palaoios. 


101 


EXHIBIT  0. 

No.  18. 

Sir, — I  received  of  the  Rev.  Father  Tomas  de  Aquino  fifty     Lettpr  to  the 
head  of  cattle  for  the  support  of  the  Toba  Indians  and  the  free  a!ruay°°on    the 
mulattoes ;  and  in  order  not  to  go  with  the  cattle  through  the  tain^cattu-  sTni 
"  reduccioti,"  and  not  to  give  rise  to  any  trouble,  I  suggested  uem'tnt!"'^  ''^^ 
to  the  priest  in  charge  of  the  town  of  Guarambare  to  keep  that 
cattle  on  the  farm  adjoining  said  town,  and  he  replied  to  me, 
placing  at  my  disposal  the  said  farm,  which  is  under  the  com. 
mand  of  a  captain  having  soldiers  to  custody  the  animals.      I 
pray  you  therefore  to  give  the  proper  orders  to  the  overseer  of 
th^t  farm  to  receive  the  cattle.    Until  otherwise  directed,  the 
cattle  will  be  kept  there. 

■  I  remain  waiting  for  new  orders  of  your  lordship. 

May  God  preserve  your  important  life  for  many  years. 

GuARUiPiTAN",  August  Gth,  1782, 

MAURICIO  PALAGIOS. 
To  DoK  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal, 

Governor  and  Captain  General. 


102 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.   19. 

Letter  of  Don 

.lose  Pastor  Tor-      giR — -The  works  already  (ioiie  at  this  red uccion  seem  to  me 

res  to  the  Gov-  .  '' 

ernor  of  Para- to  be  Sufficient  foi'  the  support  of  as  many  Tobas  Indians  as 
jVct  of  certain  may  comc  from  El  Chaco,  and  for  this  reason  I  think  it  to  be 
the  new  " re- my  duty  to  report  to  yon  what  is  the  condition  of  those  works, 
chaco.  Forty-six  lances  {^),  five  yards  long  by  four  in  height,  together 

with  their  appurtenances,  have  been  completed.  The  eastern 
and  the  western  sidewalks,  the  walls  on  that  side,  and  the  side- 
walk of  the  northern  side,  where  no  wall  has  been  deemed  to  be 
necessary,  since  it  appears  that  it  w^ill  remain  unoccupied,  are 
also  finished.  The  church  has  been  built  on  the  southern  por- 
tion, and  it  is  a  frame  building  ten  yards  long  and  five  yards 
high.  An  extension  has  been  built,  to  be  used  as  a  sacristy. 
Two  doors  of  the  church  are  still  unfinished.  In  the  rear  of  the 
building  two  lances  have  set  apart,  together  with  a  shed,  for  the 
use  of  the  curate.  Two  lateral  doors  of  the.  pastoral  residence 
are  also  unfinished.  There  is  a  house  to  be  used  by  the  guard, 
with-extension  and  a  shed,  or  porch  around  it.  The  four  cor- 
ners are  fastened  with  strong  beams,  and  the  church,  guard- 
house, and  pastoral  residence  have  been  built  with  good  mate- 
rial. There  is  a  piece  of  land  two  cuerdas  (^)  square  already 
plowed  and  ready  to  be  sowed,  and  also  a  small  lot  on  the  other 
side  which  has  been  cultivated.  Thinking  all  of  this  to  be 
enough,  I  address  you  in  order  to  know — would  you  be  pleased 
to  tell  it  to  me — what  else  must  I  do,  or  what  disposition  have 
I  to  make  of  the  things  I  have  here,  and  when  can  I  go  aw^ay 
from  here.     As  soon  as  your  reply  is  received  I  shall  leave. 

I  do  not  find  any  other  thing  worthy  to  be  reported  to  you. 
These  people  are  so  miserable  as  to  confine  the  whole  of  their 
hopes  to  the  price  of  bread  they  eat.     For  the  obtaining  of  it 

(^)  Lance  is  a  superficial  measure  used  in  Pai'a^niiy. 
(^)    Cuerda  is  a  Tucflsnrc  of  longitude. 


103 

they  bother  me  a  great  deal ;  but  I  do  as  I  can  with  my  little 
oorn,  and  keep  them  pleased.  For  this  reason  I  trouble  now  Don 
Mariano  Palacios,  and  ask  him  for  some  quantity  of  this  grain, 
since  I  know  that  many  of  these  Indians  are  coming  from  the 
interior  and  will  be  here  to-morrow.  Then  I  shall  speak  to 
them,  but  only  about  the  curate  selected  for  them  ;  but  I  am 
afraid  that  the  one  of  whom  Don  Mariano  Palacios  spoke  with 
me  will  not  be  the  right  man  for  these  people,  who,  according 
to  my  experience  need  a  person  of  extraordinary  patience  and  a 
very  soft  manner  although  decided  in  character.  In  this  way 
I  am  getting  along  with  them  well  enough,  and  Aviiile  they 
do  everything  I  command  them  to  do,  they  appear  to  be  much 
pleased. 

This  is  all  that  I  have  to  say  for  the  moment. 

I  pray  God  to  preserve  you  many  years. 

New  Eeservatiox,  June  12th,  1782. 

Your  humble  subject  and  servant, 

JOSE  PASTOR  TORRES. 

To  the  Governor  and  Captain  General, 

Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal. 

Note. — In  the  Journal  of  the  City  Council  of  this  city  (La 
Asuncion  of  Paraguay),  and  the  volume  commencing  on  the 
22d  of  January,  1787,  and  ending  in  1789,  the  proceedings  of 
two  meetings,  among  others  are  recorded,  in  which  some  reso- 
lutions were  passed  for  the  establishment  of  a  new  town  at  El 
Chaco,  as  suggested  by  Governor  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal. 
The  record  of  the  said  proceedings  being  too  extensive,  we 
shall  copy  only  the  principal  passages  having  a  bearing  upon 
the  question  now  examined.     These  passages  are  the  following: 


104 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  20. 

of  a^meetlu'^to     ^^^  ^^^®  ^'^^^  '^^  ^^®  Asuncion,  of  Paraguay,  on  the  6th  day  of 
establish  a  new  Maich,  1787,  at  a  meeting  of  the  City  Council,  held   at   the 

"  reauccioii"    at  a  ^  ' 

Eichaco.  City  Hall,  and  called  to  order  by  the  Governor  and  Captain- 

General,  the  Solicitor-General  being  present,  the  said  Governor 
and  Captain-General  said:  that  three  of  the  principal  Caciques 
of  the  Lengna,  Machicui,  and  Enimaga  Indians,  accompanied 
by  some  other  chiefs  of  their  tribes,  had  come  to  this  city  and 
asked  to  be  allowed  to  settle  in  a  "  reduccion  "  on  the  other  side 
of  this  river,  since  they  are  willing  to  be  taught  the  mysteries 
of  our  holy  catholic  faith  aud  be  converted  to  it,  as  well  as  to 
keep  peace  and  good  friendship  with  this  province.  That  in 
case  that  the  Council  would  be  willing  to  grant  this  petition, 
the  "  reduccion  "  may  he  established  ofi  the  other  side  of  this 
river  a7id  at  the  upper  part  thereof  north  of  the  Confuso  river, 
upon  the  ground  whicli  lies  hetiueen  this  and  the  Paraguay 
river.  That  for  the  defence  of  the  said  '^  reduccion,^''  a  town 
can  be  built  there,  to  be  inhabited  by  Spaniards,  and  also  a  fort, 
or  presidio,  which  will  protect  it.  The  fitness  of  the  place 
selected  is  apparent  from  the  good  quality  of  the  lands,  capable 
to  be  cultivated  according  to  the  circumstances  of  the  coit^try, 
and  the  pious  spirit  of  the  laws  of  our  Sovereign  enacted  upon 
this  subject.  He  (the  Governor)  has  had  occasion  to  see  those 
lands,  by  himself,  when  visiting  the  country  in  company  with 
Captain  Don  Juan  Valeriano  de  Cevallos,  Avho  was  Solicitor- 
General  of  this  Council,  Don  Toribio  Viana,  who  is  a  Coun- 
cilman, and  other  intelligent  persons  residing  here.  That  the 
Council  must  say  what  is  their  will,  &c.,  &c, 

(Here  is  a  report  of  the  discussion,  from  which  it  appears 
that  all  those  present  agreed  as  to  the  granting  the  "  reduccion" 
and  the  building  of  the  town,  but  hesitated  as  to  the  providing 
funds  for  their  support,  and  then  on  page  23  continues  as  fol- 
lows :)  And  the  Solicitor-General;  in  vie\y  of  the  vote  taken, 


105 

said  that  he,  in  compliance  with  his  duty,  would  set  forth  at  a 
subsequent  meeting  what  he  thought  to  be  the  best  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Eepublic,  in  whose  name  he  was  acting. 

In  witness  whereof,  they  all   subscribed  their  names 
hereto. 

Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal. 

Juan  de  Cevallos. 

Pedro  Nolasco  Domeque. 

Miguel  Eubio  y  Diaz. 

Vicente  Lagle  y  Key. 

Fermin  Arredondo  y  Lobaton. 

TORIBIO  VlANA. 

Jose  Benetaz  t  Eobles. 
Francisco  de  Isasl 
Melchor  Marin. 
Jose  Gonzalez  Rios. 
Before  me, 

Manuel  Benitez, 

Notary  Public 
and  the  Clerk  for  the  Governor  and  the  City  Council. 


14 


106 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  21. 
GovernOTofPM-     NoTE. — Subsequent  to  the  meeting  ]3osterior  to  the  one  re- 
qu"rice''^of ""the -^^^'^^^^  ^^  ^^  ^^^®  abovc  clocument,  in  which  the  Solicitor-Gen- 
action    of    the  gj..^}  delivered  his  opinion   favorable  to  the  new  settlement,  as 

meeting  above.  ^ 

aj^pears  from  pages  24  to  27,  a  record  was  made,  setting  forth 
that  the  clerk  of  the  City  Council  went  to  the  office  of  the 
Governor  and  reported  to  him  the  result  of  the  deliberations  of 
that  body,  and  saying  the  following  (page  28) : 

"And  notwithstanding  that  the  arbitrators  appointed  by 
either  parties  were  not  mentioned  as  it  was  due,  at  the  head  of 
the  report,  they  paying  more  attention  to  the  substance  than 
to  the  form,  gave  their  opinion  as  they  deemed  to  be  best.  As 
they  all  agreed  unanimously  as  to  the  usefulness  and  desirability 
of  the  new  "  rechiccioii/'  and  also  as  to  its  location,  the  only 
question  now  open,  that  is,  that  of  the  means,  which  for  the 
moment  are  to  be  provided,  and  are  indispensable,  may  be  de- 
cided in  the  way  suggested  by  the  Solicitor-General,  which  is 
in  keeping  with  the  other  facts  of  the  case ;  consequently,  he 
(the  Governor)  is  ready  to  approve  that  an  invitation  be  ex- 
tended to  all  persons  residing  within  the  limits  of  this  city,  to 
contribute  voluntarily  what  they  may  be  willing  for  the  afore- 
said purpose;  and  he  also  accej^ts  the  gratuitous  offering  made 
by  the  City  Council  to  give  example,  and  returns  his  thanks  to 
the  same  body  for  the  interest  it  shows  in  favor  of  the  public 
welfare,  the  propagation  of  our  holy  Catholic  faith,  and  the 
State. 

In  witness  whereof,  he  subscribed  his  name  hereto. 

Asuncion,  March  12th,  1787. 

PEDEO  MELO  DE  PORTUGAL. 

Before  me, 

Manuel  Benitez, 

Notary  Public, 
and  the  Clerk  for  the  Governor  and  the  City  Council. 


107 

KoTE. — When  the  contributions  above  alluded  to  were  col- „,^    Action  of 

Father  Gonzale  z 

lected,  the  iiastor  of  La  Emboscada,  a  secular  priest  named  Escobar  and 

„  .  .        ^  1  -n        1  1         T      T  „  ,  foundation      of 

Don  Amancio  U-onzalez  Jiscobar,  who  had  a  fortune  large  the  Meiodia  "re- 
enough,  took  charge  of  this  great  enterprise,  for  the  success  of 
which  he  counted  upon  the  advantage  that  he  was  very  well 
known  at  El  Chaco,  and  could  rely  upon  the  sympathies  and 
friendship  of  many  of  the  heathen  Indians  living  there.  Said 
priest  began  by  settling  soon  a  large  town  at  El  Chaco,  at  about 
six  leagues  north  La  Asuncion,  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of 
Melodia  rechiccion  (Reduccion  de  Melodia),  where  at  present 
stands  the  first  western  town  (  ViUa  Occidental)  founded  by  the 
Government  of  Lopez  (the  father),  now  unlawfully  held  and 
occupied  by  Argentine  forces.  Father  Gonzalez  attracted  to 
that  settlement  a  great  number  of  Indians  of  different  tribes, 
whom  he  catechized  ;  and  he  took  so  many  pains  in  convert- 
ing these  heathen,  that  at  the  end  of  six  years  he  succeeded  in 
obtaining  the  conversion  of  a  great  number  of  them,  who  re- 
ceived the  baptism.  In  this  Christian  work  Father  Gonzalez 
sacrificed  the  whole  of  his  large  fortune,  up  to  the  last  dollar. 
He  died  poor,  after  having  supported,  by  himself,  and  out  of 
his  own  money,  for  the  space  of  thirty  years,  the  "reduccion'' 
herein  spoken  of.  He  did  not  receive  any  assistance  at  all  from 
outside,  except  the  first  contributions  of  the  residents  of  La 
Asuncion,  for  the  foundation  of  the  town ;  and  the  censuses 
and  other  papers  I  have  examined  show  that  after  the  death  of 
this  priest,  and  not  before,  the  Indians,  yielding  to  their  change- 
able disposition,  left  the  settlement,  and  went  away  to  the  inte- 
rior of  El  Chaco. 


im 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  22. 


Governor  of     Do^i  Francisco  Amaiicio  Gonzalez  Escobar,  a  Catholic  priest, 
ttiTo'ovtSor  of  Pastor  of  La  Emboscada,  who  says  to  have  made  a  settlement 
"redl^^°-*of^°^  kept  it  for  about  two  years,  at  El  Chaco,  six  leagues  of  this 
am^chaco"^^'^'  ^^^^'  ^"^  ^^P  ^^®  river,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  peace  with 
three  nations  of  wild  Indians  roving  upon  the  Pilcomayo  river, 
the  (ruana  territory  and  the  Chiriguanos  country,  and  convert- 
ing them  to  our  faith  and  subjection,  has  sent  to  me  a  com- 
munication, dated  on  the  3d  of  June,  ultimo,  which  I  enclose  ; 
and  I  request  you,  in  view  thereof,  to  give  me  your  views  as  par- 
ticularly as  possible,  about  the  matter  of  said  letter,  which  you 
will  return  to  me. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 
Buenos  Ayi-es,  July  13th,  1778. 

MARQUIS  OF  LORETO. 
To  the  Governor  and  Intendant  of  Paraguay. 


109 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  23. 

I  have  been  informed  of  the  arrival  of  your  Lordship  at  the     Letter  of  the 
City  of  La  Asuncion,  of  Paraguay,  to  succeed  in  the  government  officer  of  Bor- 
of  the  province  to  Don  Lazaro  de  Rivera;  but  as  the  distance  to  the  Governor 
at  which  this  place  in  which  I  am  engaged  in  the  service  of  the°    ^"°'^'*y- 
King,  my  lord  and  master,  is  from  the  said  city,  prevents  me 
from  going  personally  to  present  my  respects  to  your  Lordship, 
as  it  was  my  duty,  I  have  to  do  so  in  writing,  and  will  express 
to  your  Lordship  in  a  letter  my  hope  that  your  Lordship  has  had 
a  good  voyage  and  arrived  in   good  health,  requesting,  also 
Divine  Providence  to  assist  your  Lordship  in  everything  in  the 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  this  Government. 

Now  I  am  in  command  of  this  town  and  have  been  here  since 
1797  ;  and  from  here  I  have  the  honor  to  tender  to  your  Lord- 
ship the  expression  of  the  greatest  obedience  on  my  part,  and 
the  offer  to  do  to  the  full  extent  of  my  power  everything  your 
lordship  may  command  me. 

May  God  preserve  your  Lordship  many  years. 

Borbon,  June  11th,  1806. 

PEDRO  ANTONIO  MIER. 

To  Don  Bernardo  de  Velasco, 

Governor  and  Intendant  of  Paraguay. 


no 


EXHIBIT  0. 

No.  24. 
Letter  of  the     On  the  16th  instaut  the  schooner  of  Don  Miffuel  Itnrbino  ar- 

sametothe.  ...  .  ,i-i 

same.  rived  here,  bringing  troops  to  garrison  this  place  and  to  relieve 

the  others  now  doing  the  same  service.  Tliat  vessel  has  brought 
also  eatables  and  provisions,  to  be  used  as  rations  for  said 
troops. 

As  to  the  recommendations  you  make  relative  to  the  zeal 
and  vigilance  with  which  the  service  must  be  done,  I  must  tell 
you  that  they  will  be  duly  complied  with  and  obeyed. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 

Borbon,  August  20th,  1806. 

PEDRO  ANTONIO  MIER. 

To  the  Governor  and  Intendant, 

Don  Berxardo  de  Velasco. 


Ill 


EXHIBIT  0. 

No.  25. 

Most  Excellent  Sie, — In  the  watch  tower  of  this  fort  there  Letter  of  the 
are  two  plank  platforms  out  of  repair,  and  I  am  compelled  to  mami!ng  "^F^t 
report  it  to  you  and  say  that  fifty-four  yards  of  lumber  board  p^ictator Francis 
and  some  five-inch  nails  are  needed  to  rebuild  the  same. 

Hoping  that  your  benignity  will  excuse  me  to  intrude  upon 
your  valuable  time  with  this  small  matter,  I  pray  God  to  pre- 
serve you  life  many  years. 

Forte  Santa  Elena,  October  22d,  1838. 

Most  excellent  Sir, 
HEKMENEGILDO  QU^ONES. 

His  Excellency  the  Dictator  of  the  Eepublic. 


112 


EXHIBIT    C. 

No.  27. 

tatOT*Francia''°"  Sergeant  Benitez  will  proceed  in  the  schooner  as  far  as 
"  Monteclaro  "  and  will  give  Sergeant  Saracho  the  bale  of  hay 
and  the  package  of  clothing.  He  will  instruct  him  to  acknowl- 
edge the  receipt  thereof  and  send  to  me  a  list  of  the  soldiers  of 
his  command. 

From  there  he  will  go  to  Orange  and  give  Sergeant  Enciso 
the  other  package  ;  and  will  take  on  board  and  bring  here  the 
private,  Marcos  Obelar,  who  is  there  in  prison. 

On  his  way  home  he  will  stay  at  Sante  Elena  to  receive  on 
board  and  bring  here  the  garrison,  which  has  been  relieved. 

Asuncion,  May  19th,  1829. 

FRANCIA. 


113 


EXHIBIT    C. 

Ko.   38. 

Sargeant  Manuel  Antonio  Melgarejo,  with  his  command  of  order  of  dic- 
twenty-live  men,  will  go  to  Monteclaro  and  relieve  the  garrison 
there.  Sergeant  Saracho,  commanding  there  now,  will  resign 
the  command  into  his  hands  and  give  him  information  about 
the  manner  of  service  required  for  the  defense  and  safety  of 
that  post.  He  will  give  him  possession,  also,  of  the  arms,  am- 
munition and  all  other  property,  which  will  be  received  upon  a 
written  inventory. 

Sergeant  Saracho  will  bring  with  him  this  inventory  and  also 
the  soldiers  under  his  command,  on  the  return  of  the  vessel. 

Asuncion",  June  18th,  1839. 

FRANCIA. 


15 


114 


EXHIBIT    C. 

No.  29. 

Report  of  the     McsT  ExcELLEXT  SiK,^With  the  siibmission  due  I  make  the 

mTnding  '^Fort  I'^poi't  that  seven  Guaicurri  Indians  came  here,  at  a  distance  of 

toi^ Fi-aMi^/'^'^  s^^  cuerda-'i,  moTQ  or  less,  of  this  fort,  and  shouted  that  they 

wanted  to  communicate  with  us.     I  invited  them  to  come  to 

the  front  entrance,  but  they  shouted  again,  saying,  "All  right, 

sir;  we  will  come  by  and  by,"  and  went  away. 

Three  days  afterwards  two  or  three  Indians  came  again  and 
did  the  same  thing,  in  the  same  place. 
I  have  the  honor  to  repeat  it. 
May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 
Fort  Orange,  August  14th,  1857. 

Most  excellent  Sir, 

SEBASTIAN  BALLEJOS. 

To  His  Excellency  the  Perpetual 

Dictator  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay. 


115 


EXHIBIT    C. 

Xo.  30. 

I  have  delivered  to  Sergeant  Juan  Enciso  all  the  armament,    Rpport  of  the 
ammunition,  and  other   articles  kept  here  in  this    fort  under ^^™^  *°  *'^® 
my  care.     This  I  have  done  in  the  j^resence  of  the  commanding 
officer. 

(Here  the  list  of  arms,  &c.) 

Witness  our  hands, 
Fort  Orange,  Juue  8th,  1826. 

Luis  Mancuello, 
JUAX  Exciso, 
Miguel  Maldon^ado. 


I 


116 


EXHIBIT    C 

No.  31. 

Report  of  the     MosT  EXCELLENT  SiK, — I  repoi't  to  jou  Very  respectfully, 

manding    Fort  that  wc  liave  here  twenty-eight  private  infantry  soldiers  who  need 

tato™Fra'ncia/'^  to  be  supplied  Avith  cloaks  and  clothing;  and    that  the  same  is 

the  case  with   seven  lancers.      The   garrison    consists   in  the 

aggregate  of  thirty-five  men. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 
Fort  Formosa,  May  31st,  183G. 

Most  Excellent  Sir, 

MARIANO  ROQUE  ALONSO. 
His   Excellency   the   Perpetual    Dictator  of    the   Republic  of 
Paraguay. 


117 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  32. 

Sergeaut  Fermiu  Ojeda,  of  the  infantry  body,  will  go  with  the  order  of  Dio 
proper  number  of  troops  and  relieve  the  garrison  of  Fort  Formosa. 
There  the  officer  now  commanding  there,  will  deliver  to  him  the 
command  of  the  fort,  and  all  arms,  ammunition,  papers,  and 
other  articles  belonging  to  it.  The  delivery  will  be  made  upon 
an  inventory,  to  be  put  down  in  writing  at  the  foot  of  this  order. 
The  officer  now  commanding  there  will  give  Serjeant  Ojedaand 
the  corporals  under  him  all  information  about  the  manner  of 
service  to  be  rendered  there,  and  the  kind  of  vigilance  to  be  ex- 
ercised to  protect  the  fort,  and  also  as  to  excursions  in  canoes, 
when  the  river  is  low,  &c.  ***** 

Finally,  the  said  officer  will  come  back  here  on  the  same  boat, 
and  will  bring  with  him  the  relieved  garrison,  and  the  inven- 
tory, subscribed  to  by  Sergeant  Ojeda. 

AscuNCiON,  April  20th,  .1839. 

FKANCIA. 

Note. — In  the  course  of  this  argument,  mention  has  been 
made  of  the  names'of  the  different  people  who  settled  and  main- 
tained themselves,  without  any  interruption,  in  the  Paraguayan 
Chaco,  since  the  time  of  the  Spaniards  up  to  the  present.  Not- 
withstanding that  this  is  a  known  fact,  I  will  copy  a  certain  cor- 
respondence between  the  officer  commanding  the  reducciou  at 
Remolinos,  named  of  San  Francisco  Solano,  and  the  fort  thereof, 
both  within  El  Chaco,  and  Governor  Velasco.  This  corre- 
spondence is  the  following : 


11« 


EXHIBIT    C. 

No.'  33. 

Letter  of  the    I^^  Compliance  with  your  order  of  the27tli  ultimo,  I  have  direct- 
m?ud!ng  ''FOTt*^*^  Alejandro  Baez,  a  private  soldier,  to  go  in  a  canoe,  with  three 
c^^°''''°^''*j^g  natives,  from  this  reservation,    and  take    there  eight   firearms 
^^°^Yj^'i°'"  °^  which  are  out  of  repair,  twenty- three  bullets  which  are  also  of 
no  use,  since  we  have  neither  paper  nor  powder  to  make  car- 
tridges, and  a  hatchet  very  much  dilapidated.     All  these  arti- 
cles, in  good  order,  are  very  much  needed  by  the  troops  here. 
There  is  not  here  a  single  flint  with  which  to  make  fire.     The 
arms  have  only  some  little  pieces  of  it.      So  it  is,  Sir,  that  if  in 
this  port  T  were  compelled  to  make  use  of  the   arms   I  have,  I 
would  find  myself  entirely  defenseless.     The  two  guns  we  have 
here  might  be  of  some  use  ;  but  their  carriages  are  in  such  a  bad 
condition  that  nothing  can  be  done  with  the  guns.     Besides  this, 
one  of  the  guns  has  some  imperfection,  and  cannot  be  loaded, 
or  unloaded,  without  difficulty. 

You  tell  me  that  the  officer  who  will  relieve  me  will  continue 
the  works  in  this  fort  until  its  completion,  and  that  I  must  keep 
you  informed  of  the  assistance  necessary  to  be  given  by  you  for 
that  purpose,  in  order  to  furnish  it  as  soon  as  possible.  With 
the  knowledge  I  have  of  the  facts,  since  they  are  before  my  eyes, 
I  must  tell  you  that  two  wagons  and  twenty-four  oxen  are  indis- 
pensable to  transport  the  timber,  and  also  six  or  eight  horses, 
to  help  the  oxen,  and  six  or  eight  men  to  escort  the  laborers, 
while  working  in  the  woods.  This  detachment  consists  only  of 
eighteen  soldiers,  and  out  of  this  number,  four  are  in  charge  of 
the  horses,  one  is  in  charge  of  the  quarters,  another  is  the  cook, 
and  so  only  twelve  men  remain  for  the  defence  of  the  place. 
Six  of  them  are  on  duty  every  other  day.  We  keep  two  sentries 
the  whole  day  along,  and  two  during  the  night.  So  it  is  that 
they  keep  them  seises  as  busy  as  you  have  been  reported. 


119 

I  know,  through  you,  that  instructions  have  been  sent  to  the 
king's  farm  to  bring  from  there  twenty  head  of  cattle.  They 
have  not  arrived  yet,  and  I  have  been  forced  to  buy  some  cattle 
to  give  these  people  to  eat. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 
Reduccion  de  Remolinos,  February  1st,  1807. 

ANDRES  ALARCON  y  ZALAZAR. 
To  the  Governor  and  Intendant 

Don  Bernakdo  de  Velasco, 


120 


Letter  of  the 
same  to  the 
same. 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  34. 

Inclosed  in  your  communication  of  the  6th  instant,  I  have  re- 
reived  a  list  of  armament,  consisting  of  two  hundred  bayonets, 
twenty-four  cartridge  boxes,  thirty  cartridges  with  balls,  twenty- 
four  flints,  and  a  hatchet.  On  the  arrival  of  the  boat,  the  sol- 
dier who'brought  your  letter  was  inteirogated,  and  he  said  not 
to  have  received  anything  else  than  thirty  cartridges  with  balls, 
twelve  flints  and  a  hatchet.  He  says  that  this  is  all  that  was 
given  him  by  the  administrator  ^jro  tern,  of  the  branch  of  war. 

Under  date  of  to-day  I  have  received  eight  laborers,  both  In- 
dian and  mulattoes,  sent  to  me  by  Lieutenant  Don  Ignacio  Sam- 
aniego,  to  be  employed  in  the  works  of  this  fort. 

But,  as  you  told  me  in  your  letter  of  January  26th  instant, 
that  free  mulattoes  sent  here  ought  to  be  employed  in  cutting 
timber,  and  working  it  as  required,  I  thought  that  they  would 
bring  with  them  the  necessary  tools,  as  axes,  spades,  knives  and 
others.  This  is  the  reason  why,  when  I  asked  for  the  wagons,  I 
did  not  mention  those  tools.  But  the  laborers  can  do  nothing 
without  them,  and  we  have  none  here.  Please  send  some,  if 
possible,  by  the  canoe  which  will  bring  here  the  artillery  soldier, 
expected  to  arrive  on  or  about  the  20th  instant. 

The  two  orders  sent  by  you  to  the  bosses  of  the  two  farms  of 
Atira  and  Guarambare,  and  of  whose  terms  I  became  acquainted, 
were  forwarded  to  them. 

The  labors  here  are  hard  enough,  because  the  woods  where 
these  people  have  to  go  to  work  are  distant ;  and  an  escort  is 
always  necessary  to  protect  them,  because  they  are  constantly  in 
danger  of  being  attacked  by  wild  Indians. 

Two  thousand  tiles,  or  more,  are  needed  for  the  house  of  the 
Eev.  Father  Pastor,  and  for  the  church  and  other  buildings- 
The  barracks  of  the  troops  are  uninhabitable.  As  the  fort  has 
800  posts  more,  and  is  in  need  of  repair,  I  do  not  know  how  to 
manage  with  such  a  small  number  of  laborers. 


121 

Y  ou  will  be  pleased  also  to  send  me  some  meat  to  attend  to  the 
support  of  these  people,  since  out  of  the  twenty  head  of  cattle 
you  ordered  to  be  sent  to  me,  on  the  27th  of  January  ultimo,  I 
have  received  only  nineteen  head,  and  these  did  not  come  until 
nineteen  days  afterwards.  Among  those  that  came,  there  were 
four  calves  and  two  bulls,  emaciated,  and  at  the  point  of  death. 
Please  send  also  the  ration  of  hay,  salt  and  tobacco,  which  the 
artillery  soldier  can  bring  with  him.  The  articles  sent  for  the 
troops  can  be  placed  in  a  separate  bundle.. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 

Reduccion  de  Remolinos,  February  15th,  1807. 

ANDRES  ALARCON  y  SALAZAR. 
To  the  Governor  and  Intendant  of  Paraguay. 


16 


122 


EXHIBIT  C. 

Xo.  35. 

Letter  of  the  When  I  receivecl  your  letter  of  the  loth  instant,  the  canoe 
Mgifa'y tothe^f-P'y^"o  between  here  and  yonr  place  had  departed;  but  I  caused 
fnrFort^Kemo- ^^^'  ^°  ^^^  detained,  and  by  her  I  sent  to  you  two  hatchets,  four 
^^^°^-  cutlasses,  and  six  knives.     I  have  no  time  nowfor  anything  else 

than  to  inform  you  of  this  remittance,  in  answer  to  your  com- 
munication aforesaid. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 
Asuxciox,  February  20th,  1807. 

BERNARDO  DE  YELASCO. 
To  the  OflEicer  commanding  at  Remolinos, 


123 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  36. 


The  communication  I  have  just  received  from  you,  relative  to    Letter  of  the 
the  navigation  of  the  Bermejo  river,  to  facilitate  commercial  nis^A^ea  to  tife 


Governor       and 


intercourse  between  your  province  and  the  others  in  the  interior  i^teudTpt  of 
of  this  Viceroyalty,  has  been  received,  and  referred  for  the  proper  '"^e^'^y- 
report  to  the  legal  adviser  of  this  Government. 

This  I  tell  you  for  the  moment,  and  until,  upon  consideration 
of  the  opinion  of  the  said  officer,  I  may  decide  and  transmit  to 
you  the  proper  instructions. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 

BuEXOS  Ayres,  March  19th,  1794. 

NICOLAS  BE  AREEDONDO. 
To  the  Governor  and  Intendant  of  Paraguay. 


Pa- 


m 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  37. 
Letter  of  the         J  liave  been  made  acquainted  by  your  letter  of  the  14th  of  July 

same    to    the  .         ^  ''  •'  .    .  •' 

same.  ultiuio,  No.  23,  with  the  fact  that  the  expedition  sent  to  Salta 

reached  Monte  Grande,  at  a  little  distance  of  Fort  del  Rio  del 
Valle,  after  twelve  days  of  march,  without  having  sustained  any 
loss  or  met  any  opposition  on  the  part  of  the  Indians. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 
BuEXOS  Aykes,  August  18th,  1794. 

NICOLAS  DE  ARREDONDO. 
To  the  Governor  and  Intendant  of  Paraguay. 


125 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  38. 

By  your  communication  of  the  23d  of  August  ultimo,  and  Letter  of  the 
the  inclosed  copy  of  the  letter  addressed  to  you  by  the  officer  g^Se.  '°  ^^^ 
commanding  at  Salta,  I  am  informed  that  the  expedition  sent 
by  you  to  open  a  passage  between  that  province  and  your  own, 
reached  its  destination  after  twenty-five  days  of  march. 

May  God  preseeve  you  many  years. 

Buenos  Ayrcs,  September  17th,  1794. 

NICOLAS  DE  AREEDONDO. 
To  the  Governor  and  Inteudant  of  Paraguay. 


126 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  39. 

Letter  of  the         ^  '^^^^  ^'^  I'eceipt  of  jour  communicatiou  of  the  10th  of  Sep- 
K.-ime  to  thf     t'?mber  ultimo,  inclosinsr  a  statement  of  the  promotions  deemed 

same.  '  o  x 

by  you  to  be  just  of  some  members  of  the  expedition  sent  out  to 
open  a  direct  communication,  through  El  Chaco,  between  your 
province  and  the  province  of  Salta;  and  as  I  agree  with  you, 
and  deem  those  individuals  to  be  entitled  to  a  recognition  of 
their  services  in  this  important  enterprise,  I  have  submitted  the 
matter,  with  the  proper  recommendation,  to  the  decision  of  His 
Majesty.  The  papers  will  be  forwarded  by  the  next  mail,  on 
board  the  first  frigate  sailing  from  Montevideo. 

In  the  mean  time  that  the  royal  decision  is  known,  I  am 
ready  to  give  the  same  individuals,  if  they  want  it,  a  token  of 
my  appreciation  of  their  services,  by  promoting  them  all  at 
once ;  but,  then,  I  will  be  compelled  to  make  an  exception  in 
regard  to  the  one  nominated  by  you  to  be  made  a  colonel  in  the 
militia,  because  there  is  an  order  of  His  Majesty  forbidding  me 
to  confer  such  a  high  position  by  myself,  unless  in  cases  of 
extreme  need,  and  when  any  delay  might  prove  to  be  injurious. 

May  God  jDreserve  you  many  years. 

BuEONOS  Atkes,  October  18th,  1794. 

NICOLAS  DE  ARREDONDO. 
To  the  Governor  and  Intendant  of  Paraguay. 


127 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  40. 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  10th  of  September  ultimo,  ^^^^^^ 
informing  me  that  the  expedition  sent  out  by  you  to  open  a  ^^^^  *»  tue 
road  to  Salta,  has  returned  home,  and  brought  with  it  many 
Caciques  of  the  Vilela  and  Toba  Indians,  who  are  willing  to  ne- 
gotiate. I  am  glad  to  know  that  the  expedition  has  been  a 
success,  and  costed  nothing  either  to  the  Eoyal  Treasury  or  to 
your  province;  and  I  hope  that  you  will  forward,  as  soon  as  the 
pressure  of  business  in  which  you  are  at  present  may  permit  it, 
the  report  you  offer  to  send  on  the  subjoct  of  facilitating  in  the 
future  the  said  communication. 

May  God  preserve  you  many  years. 

Buenos  Atres,  October  17th,  1794. 

♦  NICOLAS  DE  AEEEDONDO. 

To  the  Governor  and  Intendant  of  Paraguay. 


128 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  41. 

KoYAL  Dispatch. 

Royal  Dispatch,  h  DoN  Caklos,  by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  Castille,  Leon, 
im'^atpoiiitog  Aragon,  Navarra,  Grenada,  Toledo,  Valence,  Galice,  Majorca, 
de'p'ortifsTi.Gol"  Seville,  Sardaign,  Corsica,  Murcia,  Jaen,  the  Algarbes,  Algeciras, 
tendant'"'of  t^^'e  ^^^^'^^^'^^''  ^^®  Canary  Islands,  the  Indies  both  eastern  and 
province  of  Pa- ^rggj-gj-j,  ^}jg  jglands  and  continents  upon  the  ocean,  Arch-Duke 

raguay,  and  giv-  '  jr  j 

ing  iiim  juris- of  Austria,  Duke  of  Burgoigne,  Brabant  and  Milan,  Count  of 

diction   over  all  r>      o       '  ■> 

the  territory  of  Hapsburg,  Flanders,   Tyrol,  and   Barcelone,  Lord  of   Viscav, 

that      episcopal  \.  ^         c,  '         J         ■>  ^  .,  » 

dioceses.and  the  Molina,' tXC,  CCC. 

thirteen     towns        -_.,  ',  -ni/~vT  pt  ^^,n  -r 

of  the  missions  Whereas,  by  a  Koyal  Ordmance  ot  January  28th,  1782,  I  or- 
lished.  ^*  '  dered  an  Intendancy  and  province  to  be  established  within  the 
Vice-Royalty  of  Buenos  Ayres  ;  and  subsequently,  by  Royal 
Letters  of  the  5th  instant,  I  made  several  enactments  for  the 
better  understanding  of  the  said  ordinance,  and  caused  the  Mili- 
tary Government  of  the  territory  allotted  to  each  Intendancy 
to  remain,  until  further  orders,  consolidated  with  the  Civil 
Government  of  the  same  ;  now,  therefore,  I  have  been  pleased  to 
entrust  to  you,  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  a  Colonel  in  my 
Royal  Army,  the  intendancy  of  the  City  of  La  Asuncion  of 
Paraguay,  which  will  embrace  the  whole  territory  of  the 
Bishopric  of  the  same  name ;  and  you  will  remain  in  that  posi- 
tion until  I  be  pleased  to  appoint  your  successor,  you  being  also 
the  Military  Governor  thereof. 

I,  therefore,  command  the  Viceroy  and  Captain-General  of  the 
provinces  of  the  La  Plata  river,  and  also  the  Intendant  of  Buenos 
Ayres,  in  his  capacity  of  Chief  Intendant  General  of  the  whole 
district  of  the  Viceroyalty,  to  accept  and  recognize  you  as  such 
Intendant  and  Military  Governor  of  the  province  and  territories 
entrusted  to  you  ;  and  I  also  command  the  other  Intendants 
and  Governors  of  the  other  provinces  within  the  same  Vice-roy- 
alty, the  Tribunal  to  audit  accounts,  the  heads  and  clerks  of  the 


129 

Treasury  Department,  the  Courts  of  Justice,  the  Military- 
authorities,  the  officers  of  the  CTOvernment,  the  Knights  of  the 
Koyal  orders,  and  all  citizens  and  inhabitants,  within  the  said 
provinces,  to  acknowledge  and  recognize  you  to  be  such  Grover- 
nor  and  Intendaut  of  the  province,  and  pay,  and  cause  others  to 
pay  to  you,  such  honor,  distinction,  and  respect  which  are  due 
to  your  position ;  because  my  Koyal  will  is  that  this  be  done 
faithfully,  and  also  that  you  be  paid  your  salary  according  to  the 
provisions  of  the  above  cited  Royal  Ordinance  of  the  28th  of 
January  ultimo,  and  the  Royal  Letters  of  August  5th  instant. 

This  commission  to  which  I  have  set  my  Royal  hand,  and 
affixed  my  secret  seal,  will  be  countersigned  by  my  Secretary  of 
State,  in  charge  of  the  affairs  of  the  Indies,  and  will  be  recorded 
here  at  the  office  of  the  General  Auditor  of  the  accounts  of  the 
Indies,  and  at  Buenos  Aires,  at  the  office  of  the  auditor  there, 
and  all  others  having  a  right  to  be  informed  thereof. 

Given  at  San  Ildefouso  this  2nd  day  of  August,  1783. 

[L.  s.]  I,  THE  KING. 

Jose  de  Galyez. 

Recorded  at  the  office  of  the  General  Auditor  for  the  Indies. 
Madrid,  August  23d,  1783. 

DON  FRANCISCO  MACHADO. 

Buenos  Atkes,  November  21st,  1783. 
Comply  witli  what  His  Majesty  commands  in  the  foregoing 
commission. 

JUAN  JOSE  DE  VERTIS. 

Buenos  Ayres,  November  22d,  1783. 
Comply  with  what  His  Majesty  commands  in  the  foregoing 
commission,  and  record  it  at  the  offices  of  the  First  Controller 
in  this  Viceroyalty,  and  of  the  Paymaster  of  La  Asuncion  of 
Paraguay. 

FRANCISCO  DE  PABLO  SAENZ. 

It  was  recorded  at  the  office  or  the  First  Controller  of  this 
Viceroyalty. 

Buenos  Ayres,  Noy ember  "2 5th,  1783. 

FRANCISCO  DE  CAPRERA. 
17 


130 

Note. — In  order  to  show  more  and  more  the  continual  pos- 
session in  which  we  have  been  of  the  territory  of  the  Paraguayan 
Chaco,  I  shall  proceed  to  copy  some  other  documents,  relative  to 
the  said  possession,  taken  from  the  collection  of  public  orders  of 
1841  and  '42,  vol.  16,  part  4th.     They  read  as  follows  : 


131 


EXHIBIT  0. 

No.  43. 

Sergeant  Jose  Maria  Rolon,  of  the  Grenadiers,  will  go  to  all    order  of  the 
the  forts  at  EI  Cliaco,  and  proclaim  what  has  been  enacted  by  ernme^r  of  Pa'- 
the  Sovereign  Geiieral  Extraordinary  Congress,  as  set  forth  iu  cen^tn  °p™cia^ 
the  docnments  appended  to  this  order  :  and  when  the  proclama-  chaco"^  ^* 
mation  is  made  at  each  fort,  he  will  make  a  record  of  the  pro- 
ceedings and  send  it  here. 

lie  is  furthermore  instructed  to  give  each  one  of  the  Ser- 
geants, in  command  of  those  forts,  one  of  the  four  authenticated 
copies,  herein  inclosed,  of  the  decree  of  November  29th  ultimo, 
relative  to  the  swearing  our  national  independence  on  the  25th 
Instant,  so  that  each  one  of  them  may  cause  his  troops  to  take 
the  oath,  as  prescribed,  on  the  appointed  day,  and  put  it  down 
in  writing  at  the  foot  of  the  order. 

AsuijfCiON,  December  19th,  1842. 

The  SujDreme  Government. 

LOPEZ, 
ALONZO. 


132 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  43. 
Record  of  pro-     At  this  fovt,  Saiita  Elena,  Oil  the  20tli  of  December,  1842, 

ceedings  at  Fort  _     -,  tit       •      -r>    i  a  ,      i>  rt  t  i         •  i 

Santa  Elena,  in  i,  J 086  Mai'ia  Koloii,  a  bei'geaiit  01  (jreiiadiei's,  having  come  here 
the^above^oi^er.  to  fulfill  the  oi'der  given  me  by  the  Supreme  Grovernment  of  the 
Eepublic,  as  shown  by  the  preceding  document,  made  a  formal 
notification  thereof  to  Pautaleon  Balniaceda,  the  sergeant  in 
command  of  this  Fort;  and  then,  in  his  presence,  and  in  the 
presence  of  all  the  individuals  forming  the  garrison  of  the  same, 
I  made,  as  solemnly  as  I  could,  the  publication  of  the  Sovereign 
approval  of  the  message  sent  by  the  Supreme  Government  to 
the  Sovereign  General  Extraoidinary  Congress,  the  declaration 
of  the  Independence  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay,  the  law  pro- 
viding for  a  national  flag  and  for  a  seal  of  the  same  Republic ; 
and  the  supreme  decrees  re-establishing  the  collection  of  tithes, 
and  granting  freedom  to  all  children  born  of  mother  slaves 
after  that  date. 

I  state  further,  that  I  published  also  the  supreme  decree  of 
November  29th  ult.,  appointing  the  25th  instant  for  the  swearing 
our  national  independence  ;  and  that 'I  delivered  a  copy  of  that 
decree  to  Pantaleon  Balniaceda,  in  order  that  he  may  put  down 
at  the  foot  of  it,  as  directed,  the  proper  evidence  that  his  troops 
made  and  subscribed  to  the  said  oath  on  the  ajipointed  day. 

In  testimony  whereof,  Sergeant  Balniaceda,  the  corporals  and 
myself  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names. 

JOSE  MARIA  ROLON, 
PANTALEON  BALMACEDA. 
JOSE  VALENTIN  COLMAN, 
CANDIDO  MESINO. 


m 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  44. 
At  this  Fort  Mouteclaro,  ou  the  20th  of  December,  1842,  I,    Proceedings ai 

Fort  Mouteclaro. 

Jose  Maria  Eo]on,  a  sergeant  of  grenadiers,  having  come  here  to 
fulfill  the  order  given  me  by  the  Supreme  Government  of  the 
Kepublic,  as  shown  by  the  ])receding  document,  made  a  formal 
notification  thereof  to  Jose  Francisco  Gamarra,  the  sergeant  in 
command  of  this  Fort (as  the  above). 

JOSE  MARIA  EOLON, 

JOSE  FRAXCISCO  GAMARRA, 

NICOLAS  TRINIDAD, 

ANSELMO  CANDIA, 

PABLO  SALINAS. 


134 


EXHIBIT  C. 

Xo.  45. 

Proceedingsat  At  tliis  Foi't  Orange,  oil  the  21st  day  of  December,  1842,  I, 
Jose  Maria  Eoloii,  a  sergeant  of  grenadiers,  having  come  here  to 
fulfill  the  order  given  nie  by  the  Supreme  Government  of  the 
Republic,  as  shown  by  the  foregoing  document,  made  a  formal 
notification  thereof  to  Leonardo  Martinez,  the  sergeant  in  com- 
mand of  this  fort (as  the  above). 

JOSE  MARIA  ROLON, 
LEONARDO  MARTINEZ, 
PANTALEON  LOPEZ, 
FRANCISCO  SOSA. 


135 


EXHIBIT  C. 
^"0.  46. 
At  this  Fort  Formoso,  on  the  22d  day  of  December,  1842,  I,  'Proceedings at 

'  -J  7  J     5  Fort  Foriuosa. 

Jose  Maria  Kolon,  a  sergeant  of  Grenadiers,  having  come  here 
to  fulfill  the  order  given  me  by  the  Supreme  Government  of  the 
Kepublic,  as  shown-  by  the  foregoing  document,  made  a  formal 
notification  thereof  to  Manuel  Machuca,  the  sergeant  in  com- 
mand of  this  Fort (as  the  above), 

JOSE  MARIA  EOLON, 
MAXUEL   MACHUCA, 
SANTIAGO  SOSA, 
FELIPE  ARGUELLO, 
SILVEEIO  QUIXONES. 


136 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  47. 
Teeaty  of  October  12th,  1811. 
Treatybetween     We,  the  undersigiied,  OH  the  one  part  the   President  and 
rnr°parafufy!  mcmhers  of  the  Junta  of  .this  city  of  La  Asuncion  of  Paraguay 
October  12, 1811.  ^^^-^  ^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^.j.  ^|^g  representatives  of  the  Most  Excellent 
Junta  of  Buenos  Ayres  and  the  deputies  from  La  Plata,  hav- 
ing met  here  with  full  power  to  negotiate  and  promote  the 
union  and  common  welfare  of  their  respective  provinces,  and 
consolidate  the  system  of  our  political  regeneration,  have  taken 
into  consideration  the  communications  addressed  on  the  20th 
of  Julv  ultimo,  by  the  province  of  Paraguay  to  the  Most  Excel- 
lent Junta  above  named,  and  the  beneficient  and  liberal  ideas 
animating  said  Junta,  which  has  never  acted  but  upon  prin- 
ciples of  iustice,  equity,  and  equal  rights,  as  shown  by  its  letter 
of  August    28th  following,   and   after  due   deliberation  have 
covenanted  aud  agreed  as  follows  :  .  ,  • 

Pirst--T\\\^  province  being  in  extreme  need  of  assistance,  m 
order  to  have  an  efficient  force  large  enough  to  secure  her  safety 
and  render  her  able  to  resist  the  enemies,  both  domestic  and 
foreio-n,  of  our  system  of  Government,  we  have  unanimously 
agreed  that  the  stock  of  tobacco  formerly  belonging  to  the  royal 
treasury,  which  may  be  found  within  her  limits,  be  sold  on  her 
account;  and  that  the  proceeds  of  this  sale  be  appropriated  to 
meet  the  sacred  attention  aforesaid,  or  any  other  of  similar 
character,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Junta  of  this  city  of  La 
Asuncion,  the  monopoly  of  this  article  being,  as  it  is  hereby 
abolished,  and  consequently  the  commerce  and  trade  thereof 
being,  as  it  is  decl;red  hereby,  to  be  free  in  the  future. 

^Lnd-Thatthe  one  dollar  formerly  paid  at  Buenos  Ayres,^ 
as  si^a  tax  on  each  bundle  of  hay  exported  from  the  province  of 
Paracniay,  be  hereafter  collected  in  this  city  of  La  Asuncion, 
and  appropriated  to  the  purposes  aforesaid.  The  proper  steps 
shall  be  taken  for  the  due  enforcement  of  this  enactment,  it 


137 

being  understood,  however,  that  the  Most  Excellent  Junta  shall 
have  the  power,  without  prejudice  of  the  rights  of  the  province 
of  Paraguay,  to  levy  some  moderate  duty  on  the  imports  from 
Paraguay  into  Buenos  Ayres  whenever  necessity  may  compel  to 
do  so. 

Third. — Considering  that  it  is  just  that  the  aJcabala  tax 
be  paid  at  the  place  of  the  sale  out  of  which  it  arises,  and 
considering  also  that  no  such  a  tax  is  collected  here  in  Para- 
guay on  the  proceeds  of  any  sales  made  at  Buenos  Ayres  of 
articles  or  goods  taken  there  from  this  City  of  La  Asuncion, 
it  is  hereby  agreed  that,  in  a  like  manner,  no  alcabala  tax  shall 
be  levied,  and  collected  at  Buenos  Ayres  and  its  dependencies, 
on  account  of  any  transactions  made  at  Paraguay  Avith  articles 
or  goods  sent  here  from  there,  it  being  understood  that,  without 
prejudice  of  the  rights  of  this  province,  this  matter  shall  be 
settled  in  Congress. 

Fourth. — In  order  to  avoid  every  possible  trouble  between  the 
residents  of  either  province  arising  out  of  the  controversy 
whether  the  district  known  by  the  name  of  Pedro  Gonzalez  dis- 
trict, situate  this  side  of  the  Parana  river,  belongs  to  one 
province  or  to  the  other,  it  is  agreed  that  said  district  shall  con- 
tinue as  it  is  now  until  otherwise  decided  ;  that  consequently 
the  curate  of  Las  Ensenadas  of  the  city  of  Corrientes  shall  be 
instructed  not  to  take  any  action  in  regard  to  the  same  district 
or  to  mingle  in  its  spiritual  government,  it  being  understood  that. 
the  authorities  of  Buenos  Ayres,  with  the  advise  and  consent  of 
the  Bishop,  shall  take  the  proper  measures  to  secure  the  enforce- 
ment of  this  temporary  arrangement  until  Congress,  with  better 
knowledge  of  the  facts  of  the  case,  may  settle  the  question  of 
limits  which,  in  regard  to  this  frontier,  exists  between  the  two 
provinces.  As  to  the  rest,  the  limits  of  this  province  of  Para- 
guay shall  remain  the  same  as  are  at  present,  and  her  Govern- 
ment shall  take,  therefore,  upon  itself  the  defense  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Candelaria. 

Fifth. — In  consequence  of  the  independence  of  this  province 

of  Paraguay  from  the  province  of  Buenos  Ayres,  as  recognized 

by  the  official  communication  of  August  28th  ultimo,  the  Most 

Excellent  Junta  shall  not  intevf^u'e  in  any  way  whatever  with 

18 


138 

the  execution  of  all  the  measures  taken  or  to  be  taken  by  said 
province  of  Paraguay  or  its  representatives  assembled  in  general 
Junta,  which  arc  not  at  variance  with  the  stipulations  of  this 
treaty. 

And  both  contracting  parties  being  desirous  to  fortify  more 
and  more  the  political  bonds  Avhich  connect  and  ought  to  con- 
nect the  two  provinces  and  maintain  them  united  and  allied 
forever,  have  bound  tliemselves  under  tlie  present  agreements 
not  only  to  keep  and  promote  a  sincere,  perpetual  and  undis- 
turbed friendship,  but  also  to  assist  each  other  and  mutually 
and  efficiently  co-operate,  as  permitted  by  their  respective  cir- 
cumstances, and  whenever  it  may  be  required,  to  the  sacred  end 
of  annihilating  and  destroying  all  enemies  of  the  cause  of  our 
country  and  of  our  common  liberty. 

In  witness  whereof,  and  with  the  most  sincere  protestations 
and  hopes  that  t])ese  covenants  will  unite  forever  in  friendly 
brotherhood,  this  province  of  Paraguay  and  all  others  of  the  La 
Plata  rivei",  after  having  communicated  to  each  other  our  re- 
spective powers,  Ave  have  executed  this  instrument  in  duplicate, 
and  have  subscribed  our  names  and  caused  the  names  of  our 
Secretaries  to  be  subscribed  thereto,  eacli  of  the  contracting 
parties  keeping  one  copy  to  be  used  as  properly. 

Done  at  this  City  of  La  Asuncion  of  Paraguay  this  12th  of 
October,  1811. 

FULGENCIO    YeGROS. 

Dr.  Jose  Gaspar  de  Francia, 

Pedro  Juan  Caballeuos, 

M.  Dr.  Vicente  Axastasio  de  Echeverria. 

Pedro  Feliciaxo  de  Cavia. 


139 


EXHIBIT  C. 

No.  48. 

•    Royal  Letters  Patext  of  February  11th,  1724. 
The  Kijs'Cx. 

To  the  Reverend  Father  in  Christ,  the  Bishop  of  the  Cathedral  tj^f^^^jf^***"^*? 
Church  of  the  City  of  La  Asuncion  of  Paraguay,  one  of  the  ^"''^f^^y  °?  *^® 

•J  »       J '  questiou  ot  lim- 

members  of  my  council  :  '}!"  betweeii  hu 

•^  diocesis  and  the 

The  Rev.  Bishop  of  Buenos  Ayres  in  a  letter  dated  on  the  Gth  noslfret  ^"" 
of  March  ultimo,  sets  lorth  that  the  boundary  between  the  ter- 
ritory of  his  diocesis  and  yours,  on  the  side  of  the  Missions  of 
the  Society  of  Jesus,  is  not  well  defined,  and  he  asks  for  a  rec- 
tification of  the  said  lines  in  order  to  know  at  once  which  of  the 
two  prelates  has  jurisdiction,  according  to  canon  law,  both 
over  these  settlements  and  the  others  which  day  after  day  are 
founded  there  under  the  auspices  of  the  said  society.  He  says 
that  owing  to  this  uncertainty  of  limits,  it  happens  often  that 
the  two  Bishops  come  and  visit  the  same  reduccion  or  settle- 
ment; and  he  finally  forwards  some  testimony  about  the  time 
and  manner  of  foundation  of  some  of  those  towns,  with  a  view 
to  show  which  Avere  considered  from  the  beginning  to  be  the 
limits  between  both  dioceses.  The  whole  thing  having  been 
considered  by  my  council  of  the  Indies,  where  the  opinion  of 
my  Attorney-General  was  also  heard,  I  have  decided  to  pray 
and  commend  you^  as  I  do,  to  make  arrangements  with  the  said 
Reverend  Bishop  of  Buenos  Ayres,  or  with  whom  may  act  in  his 
place,  if  his  Sec  happens  to  be  vacant  at  the  time  of  the  receipt 
of  these  letters,  and  settle  this  matter  between  yourselves  upon 
the  basis  of  the  sfat.u  quo  at  the  time  of  the  erection  of  the  said 
churches,  paying  due  respect  to  custom  and  to  the  rights  of 
possession,  as  far  as  the  exercise  of  jurisdiction  is  concerned; 
and  when  an  agreement  is  readied  by  yourselves  you  will  for- 
ward the  papers  to  the  President  of  the  Audience  at  Las 
Charcas,  whom  I  cause  to  be  informed  of  this  new  duty  entrusted 


140 

to  him  and  to  the  court  over  which  he  presides,  in  order  that 
the  said  Audience  may  give  the  proper  decision  and  report  it  to 
me. 

In  this  way  yon  are  made  acquainted  with  my  decision,  which 
you  will  exactly  comply  with. 

From  Madrid,  this  11th  of  February,  1824. 

I,  THE  KING. 
By  order  of  the  King,  our  Lord. 

Do2^  Fkancisco  de  Arana. 

(Three  flourishes). 

To  the  Bishop  of  Paraguay  on  the  question  of  limits  between 
his  dioct'sis  and  the  diocesis  of  Buenos  Ayres. 


Ul 


EXHIBIT  D. 

No.  1. 

In   1782,   the    Solicitor  General  of  the  City    of  Asuncion,  pi^°*^;3*^"'^J» 
Juan  de  Marchain,   in   a  long  revjort  which  runs  from  pnffe*?®      soikitor- 

'  o         I  re    General    ot    La 

22  to  page  25,  written  on  both  sides,  in  the  document  referred  ^^uucion. 
to,  and  addressed  to  the  Governor  and  Captain-General  of  the 
Province  of  Paraguay,  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  reports  : 
that  in  the  Eoyal  Letters  Patent,  a  testimony  of  which  he 
accompanies,  His  Majesty  deigned  to  concede  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Province  of  Paraguay,  four  thousand  dolhirs,  silver,  out  of  the 
Sisa  tax  of  Tucuman,  and  also  appropriated  the  whole  proceeds 
of  the  Bull  of  the  Crusade,  all  of  this  to  establish  and  support 
the  redncciones,  fortresses  and  fortified  places  tlien  existing  on 
the  banks  of  the  river,  and  in  the  interior  of  the  province,  and 
thus  promote  the  peace  and  tranquillity  of  tlie  inhabitants,  the 
increase  of  the  population  and  the  propagation  of  the  Catholic 
religion.  And  with  a  view  to  obtaining  the  fulfilment  of  the 
concessions  mentioned  in  the  said  Royal  Letters  Patent  in  favor 
of  the  province,  hebesought  the  Governor  to  be  pleased  to  admit 
the  testimony  of  thirty  competent  witnesses,  whom  he  offered 
to  produce,  upon  the  items  of  his  petition,  and  to  send 
afterwards,  to  whom  it  might  concern,  a  report  of  the  results  of 
the  testimony  to  be  obtained  according  to  the  following  inter- 
rogatory : 

1st  Question. — The  witness,  after  having  been  sworn,  will 
depose  upon  the  contents  and  items  of  this  petition. 

2d  Question. — Say  whether  it  is  true  that  this  province  con- 
tains the  towns,  reduccioues,  fortified  places,  forts,  inhabitants, 
and  troops  reported  in  detail  on  the  tabular  statement  on  file  ; 
and  say,  then,  upon  a  thorough  examination  of  this  statement, 
everything  you  know,  whether  expressed  or  not  in  it  or  in  the 
petition,  in  regard  to  all  the  redncciones,  establishments,  forts, 
and  Indian  settlements  erected  since  the  beginning  of  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  present  government. 


i;t2 

3cl  Question.— Say  whether,  through  the  erection  of  some 
forts  on  the  banks  of  the  Paraguay  river,  both  below  and  above 
this  city,  and  through  the  vigihmce  of  the  canoes  manned  with 
soldiers,  which  go  from  fortress  to  fortress,  and  watch  daily 
over  the  passages  and  banks  of  the  river,  a  complete  tranquillity 
has  been  secured  for  the  province ;  and  whetlicr  the  wild  Indians 
who  used  before  to  make  inroads,  have  ceased  hostilities  during 
the  government  of  your  Lordship;  and  whether  it  is  true  that 
whenever  they  have  made  some  attacks  they  have  been  punished, 
and  compelled  to  ask  for  a  reduccion,  as  they  cannot  longer  sub- 
sist upoa  their  continuous  thefts^of  cattle  from  the  provinces,  as 
they  did  formerly. 

4th  Question. — Say  how  many  nations  have  been  acknowl- 
edged as  enemies  of  this  province,  and  whether  at  any  time  be- 
fore the  government  of  your  Lordship  they  asked  for  a  reduc- 
cion, stating  which  nation  or  nations  did  so,  where  the  reduc- 
ciones  were  settled,  at  whose  expense,  and  how  long  did  they 
remain  in  subjection,  expressing  the  year  or  under  what  govern- 
ment they  went  away,  and  what  wrongs  they  did  to  their  own 
towns  and  cattle  at  the  time  of  their  going  away. 

5th  Question. — Say  whether,  notwithstanding  the  establish- 
ment of  i\\Qs,Qreducciones,  any  insults  were  ever  made  to  several 
valleys  of  this  province,  which  were  imputed  to  the  settled 
Indians  ;  and  whether  it  is  true  that  the  inhabitants  contributed 
to  their  foundation  with  voluntary  donations  of  cattle  and  the 
necessary  implements. 

6th  Question. — Suy  how  many  attacks  have  been  made  within 
the  last  four  years,  and  whether  it  is  true  that  when  the  Indians 
have  attempted  hostilities  against  the  province,  all  their  plunder 
has  been  retaken,  and  they  have  fled  to  El  Ghaco,  severely  pun- 
ished, and  almost  on  foot. 

7th  Question. — Say  whether  it  is  true  that,  in  three  cases  out 
of  many  others,  in  which  the  Indians  were  severely  punished, 
a  great  number  of  the  horses  and  cattle  stolen  from  this  district 
was  retaken  from  them,  it  having  been  necessary  for  us  to  enter 
their  own  lands  to  punish  them,  as  we  did  in  those  three  raids 
ordered  during  the  government  of  your  Lordship. 


lis 

8tli  Question. —Say  whotlicr,  by  reason  of  this  punishment,- 
and  on  account  of  their  inability  to  make  new  inroads,  owing 
to  the  many  fortresses  which  jM-otecb  the  province  on  the  banks 
of  the  river,  the  Mbocobi  Indians  asked  to  be  settled  in  a  reduc- 
ci'on,  and  whether  the  Tobas  have  lately  asked  for  the  same 
thing — tlie  one  and  the  other  nation  being  warlike  and  savage, 
and  living  at  El  Chaco;  state  the  time  at  which  they  asked  for 
a  reduccion ;  the  places  at  which  the  Mbocobies  nation  had  it 
settled,  and  whether  it  is  true  that  at  present  the  most  activ^e 
measures  are  being  taken  to  give  the  Tobas  a  reduccion  On 
THE  OTHER  SIDE  of  the  Paraguay  river,  opposite  the  fort  named 
Paraiy — this  settlement  having  been  delayed  for  two  or  three 
months  by  the  great  drought  suffered  in  this  province. 

9th  Question. — Say  whether  the  royal  treasury  has  incurred 
any  expense  for  these  rcdiicclones,  and  Avhether  it  is  true  that, 
though  there  is  in  this  province  a  War  Department,  it  has  no 
funds  with  which  to  contribute  any  aid,  it  being,  on  the  contrary, 
indebted  and  almost  insolvent.  State,  further,  how  the  ex- 
penses have  been  met,  and  whether  it  is  true  that  the  rcduc- 
cione^  were  founded  with  donations  and  gratuitous  subsidies 
contril)uted  by  the  inliabitants  at  the  request  of  your  Lordship, 
these  small  sums  having  been  employed  with  the  utmost  econ- 
omy for  Ihe  pui-poses  for  which  they  were  intended. 

10th  Question. — Say  whether  the  reduccion  of  the  Mbocobi 
Indians  has  a  good  farm  on  this  side  of  the  Paraguay  river, 
state  the  number  of  cattle  it  possesses,  and  whether  it  is  true 
that  by  keeping  these  farms  apart  from  their  reducciones  (this 
idea  being  due  to  your  Lordship)  the  result  is  obtained,  first, 
that  the  Indians  have  to  depend  upon  this  Government  for  their 
food,  with  a  view  to  avoid  waste  and  scarcity;  and,  second,  that 
the  farms  are  safe  from  their  pillage,  though,  owing  to  their 
inconstancy  they  sometimes  may  leave  their  settlements 

11th  Question. — Say  Avhether,  owing  to  the  tranquillity  at 
present  enjoyed  by  the  province,  by  virtue  of  the  reducciones, 
forts  and  towns,  on  the  banks  of  the  river  below  this  city, 
covering  a  district  of  more  than  sixty  leagues,  almost  all  the 
lands  where  "the  wild  Indians  used  formerly  to  have  their 
headquarters,  as  shown  by  the  rains  found  by  the  first  dis- 


14^ 

coverers  and  settlers  of  the  fiimous  town  of  Neembncu,  erected 
during  the  government  of  your  Lordship,  are  now  populated  ? 

12th  Question. — Say  whether  the  said  lands,  formerly  un- 
cultivated and  unpeopled,  are  at  present  occupied  by  cattle  of 
every  kind,  and  whether  it  is  true  that  there  are  there  at  present, 
about  thirty  farms  belonging  to  honest  i^ersons  who  have  asked 
for  a  grant  of  the  said  lands;  and  whether  it  is  true  that  the 
present  Government  has  granted  the  said  petitions  on  condition 
that  some  houses  be  built  therein,  and  the  proprietors  engage 
themselves  in  raising  cattle  and  defending  the  whole  bank  ot  the 
river  which  is  the  frontier  of  the  enemy. 

13th  Question. — Say  whether,  owing  to  the  proportion  be- 
tween the  grants,  and  the  forts  and  towns,  it  is  almost  impossi- 
ble for  the  wild  Indians  to  make  inroads  without  being  severely 
punished,  because  the  inhabitants  on  the  banks  arc  warned  by 
a  cannon  shot  from  the  fortress,  and  the  troops  on  duty  can 
gather  4t  a  short  notice. 

14th  Question. — Sa}^,  to  further  prove  the  preceding  assertion, 
whether  it  is  true  that  when  the  Vilhi  de  Neembucu  was  erected, 
the  Commander  Don  Jose  Antonio  Yegros,  defeated  a  baud  of 
wild  Indians  who  came  back  from  an  invasion  against  the  towns 
of  the  Missions;  and  whether  it  is  true  that  notwithstanding 
that  a  great  deal  of  the  cattle  robbed  by  them,  belonging  to  the 
village  of  Nuestra  Seuora  de  Fe,  was  retaken  from  tiiem  on  this 
occasion,  and  returned  to  said  village  by  order  of  your  Lordship, 
the  said  Indians  have  not  so  far  repeated  their  attacks,  hostilities 
and  invasions  against  the  said  towns — the  newly  founded  towns, 
giving  them  protection,  as  well  as  to  this  province. 

loth  Question.— Say  whether  above  this  city  is  there  any  ne- 
necessity  for  erecting  some  new  town  (villa)  to  better  protect 
the  border  ;  and  whether  it  is  true  that  up  to  this  time  no  one 
has  been  founded,  for  want  of  means,  as  the  inhabitants  have 
not  been  able  to  contribute  except  the  scanty  assistance,  given 
to  the  most  urgent  necessity  felt  in  the  places  below  this  city. 

16th  Question. — Say  whether  the  foundation  of  one  or  two 
more  new  towns  in  the  vicinity  of  Villa  de  la  Concepcion,  in 
whose  district  there  are  very  rich  fields  of  yeiJ)a  mate,  could 
facilitate  the  opening  of  a  straight  road  through  which  to  carry 


145 

that  article  to  Potosi,  with  great  advantage  to  the  commerce  of 
this  province. 

17th  Question. -Say  if  the  said  establishment  of  towns  (vil- 
las), Indian  settlements,  redurciones,  posts  and  fortresses,  was 
so  necessary  for  the  defense  of  the  province,  that  if  it  had  not 
been  for  their  preservation,  up  to  their  present  condition,  the 
province  would  have  gone  back  rapidly  to  its  former  decadence, 
owing  to  the  borders  being  unprotected,  and  the  wild  Indians 
liaving  so  free  a  passage  to  this  country,  where  experience  has 
taught  that  the  valleys  and  districts  would  be  unpeopled  through 
fear  of  more  inroads  of  the  Infidels. 

i8th  Question. — Say  whether  it  is  true  that  the  inhabitants, 
being  generally  poor,  are  unable  to  support  so  many  establish- 
ments without  the  aid^  ordered  to  be  given  by  the  King  in  his 
royal  letters  patent  hereby  presented  to  this  effect. 

19th  Question. — Say  whether  it  is  true  that,  notwithstanding 
the  great  tranquillity  of  this  country,  such  as  never  before  at- 
tained, a  great  number  of  its  inhabitants  is  still  in  a  complete 
state  of  poverty;  and  say  also  whether  it  is  true  that  this 
Government,  to  avoid  depopulation  through  emigration  to  other 
provinces,  as  formerly  done  by  the  natives  of  this  country,  took 
the  useful  measure  of  recommending  the  judges  of  each  district 
to  compel  the  head  of  every  family  to  cultivate  the  land,  isi  order 
that  by  providing  for  their  subsistence,  in  this  way,  they  would 
not  leave  the  province,  and  at  the  same  time  would  attend  to 
their  preservation. 

20th  Question. — Say  whether,  on  account  of  the  preceding 
step,  the  province  is  now  better  populated  than  formerly,  and 
whether,  through  these  measures,  the  natives  of  this  province 
were  compelled  to  work  and  cultivate  the  land,  and  pay  atten- 
tion not  only  to  the  products  necessary  to  life,  but  also  to  the 
cultivation  of  tobacco,  through  which  they  have  increasd  their 
income,  notwithstanding  the  lowness  of  its  price,  and  enabled 
the  villages  of  Indians,  converted  since  the  old  times,  to  pay 
thelarge  debts  contracted  for  the  erection  of  their  buildings 
and  the  works  done  during  the  time  of  the  inroads  and  calam- 
ities Avhicli  prevented  them  both  from  cultivating  the  land  and 
working  in  the  yerba  fields ;  and  that  notwithstanding  all  of 
19 


146 


this,  the  Indians  go  ont  at  present,  ^I  '-'n^,  fro.  their  jil 

same  measures  taken  foi  then  eieaiona  .     .^^j^gggi^ter- 

yo„.  loMship  .-iil  ;',:^j;f  -  ;J^rr;rest  he  exan^lned 
rogatories,  and  <^»"«^^*'"  ',^,7  ^  „,titio„  and  the  contents  of 
according  to  the  particnhus  of  tins  P«  "°  ^j^^,  t^at 

the  foregoing  interrogator.es,  ancWhen  ^^-^  -;  '»    ^^^^  ^^^^ 
the  original  testimony  be  d*  e  ed  to  me    n 

city  may  be  able  to  1'7!''5J;;  ^'./^'.^aicialletter,  accom- 
Lordship  «-.ll  he  pleased  to  oidei  t^-"  =>  j^. 

panying  this  petition,  shonM  be  «en      o    he  Iimstr  ^^^^^ 

Lstic  Chapter  and  religions  corporation      f  this  ^ty 
that  each  one  t'ospectively  should        t,fy  and  P 

the  same  items   contained  m  the   said  mteuo^at    . 
tition.  ,,      „.Tvr 

JUAis   DE  MACHAI^^ 

Order  o/tlie  Court :  document  and  testimony  of 

Put  it  on  file,  together  .It     ^^^  ~^^^^  ^    ,^,  Solicitor 

the  royal  letters^expr^^^^^^^^^^^  ^ihirty  cLpetent  wit- 

of  the   city.     Take  tue  aepob  ,     ^  f  the  cam- 

Ecdetiastic  Chapter  and  the  regnlar  prelates,  as  asked. 
Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal. 

::tlf:;^:fFeb;;:r:nrthonsand  seven  hnndred  and  eighty- 

Notary  Public  of  His  Majesty, 

and  Clerk  of  the  Governor. 


147 

Notification  to  the  Solicitor  : 

On  the  same  day  I  notified  of  the  precedent  decree  the  So- 
licitor-General of  the  city,  and  I  hereby  certify. 

BACHICAO. 

]Sfote.—T\\e  depositions  of  the  thirty  witnesses  follow  here  ; 
but  out  of  the  mass  of  this  testimony  we  only  take  the  certifi- 
cates issued  by  the  Prelates  of  the  Religious  Corporations  of  the 
city,  and  by  the  Venerable  Ecclesiastic  Chapter  and  Episcopal 
Governor,  which  are  as  follows: 


148 


EXHIBIT  D.— No.  2 

Certificate 
To  the  Goveruor  and  Captain- General: 
Certificate   of     Havins'  Seen  the  particulars  contained  in  the  interrogatories 
Father  General  fljed  bj  the  Solicitor  General  of  this  city,  respecting  which  your 
coDv°ent°of  Our  Excellency  ordered  by  decree  of  the  twenty-second' of  February, 
cede^s^Frayino-one   thousand   sevcn   hundred  and   eighfcy-two,   that  I  should 
ceucio  Ganete.    j^^^g  g^  st-^tement :  I  Certify  that  it  is  true  that  this  province 
possesses  the   towns,   reducciones,   fortified   places,   forts,   and 
military  posts,  with  the  cattle,  inhabitants  and  troops,  that  are 
faithfully   described  in   the   "Paraguayan  Topography"  filed 
by  the  Sohcitor  General,  expressing  that  the  forts  of  Macaypira, 
Ybyoca,  Nundiay.  Lobato,  Naranjay,  Eeduccion  of  Mbocobis, 
at  RemoKnos,  with  a  fort  within,  Herradura,  the  new  fort  of 
Tacuaras,   Villa  de   Neembucu,   with   its   Fort    Tasibo,    were 
founded  by  his  Lordship,  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  Colonel 
and  Governor  and  Captain-General  of  this  Province;  his  Lord- 
ship  having,    with   these   safeguards,   protected    the   province 
against  the  invasions  of  the  heathen  of  Chaco,  who  not  having 
accession    to  the  places  and  woods  of  our  side,  where  they  used 
before  to  reside  comfortably,  they  now  look  for  peace  and  re- 
ducciones, as  it  mm  ha/ppens   iviih    the    Tobas  Nation,  which 
His    Lordship    has   already    admitted,    in  number   of  six  or 
seven  of  its  tribes,  with  their  caciques,  and  has  half  settled  Ihem 
upon  El  Chaco,  opposite  to  Naranjaij.     In  regard  to  the  third 
particular  I  have  already  said  enough,  and  can  add  that  with  the 
protection  of  the  said  forts  and  settlcmentLS  the  province  enjoys 
under  its  present  Governor  complete  quietness,  it  bting  free  from 
the  previous  hostilities  that  almost  monthly  caused  the  troops 
of  these  provinces  to  be  under  arms ;  and  though  it  is  true  that 
lately  we  have  had  a  few  attacks  from  the  barbarians,  they  hav- 
ing been  pursued  and  punished  by  our  present  Governor,  (who 
seems  to  have  been  born  to  hold  the  Infidels  of  El  Chaco  in 
check),  the  attacks  have  ceased,  and  they  are  soliciting   our 
friendship. 


149 

Witli  regard  to  the  fourth  particular,  I  do  not  recollect  the 
number  of  Infidel  Nations  which  have  insulted  this  province, 
and  declared  themselves  their  enomics;  but  I  know  that  they 
are  many,  and  also  that  during  the  provisional  government  of 
Don  Fulgencio  de  Yegros.  there  was  a  settlement  of  Abipones, 
whose  cacique  was  named  Deguachique,  ivhicli  was  within  El 
Chaco  opposite  to  Timbo  or  Erradvra,  and  that  they  abandoned 
their  settlement  and  went  away  to  the  interior  of  El  Chaco, 
and  that  in  consequence  of  this  abandonment,  the  catechist  priest 
who  taught  them,  Master  Don  Lorenzo  de  la  Torre,  came  to 
this  city.  I  tliink  that  this  abandonment  took  place  during  the 
government  of  Don  Carlos  Morphy.  The  same  Abipones,  after 
sometime  asked  again  for  a  reduccion,  and  were  admitted  within 
our  side  at  tlie  same  Erradura,  where  they  resided  without  any 
priest,  and  soon  afterwards  they  were  assailed  by  other  wild 
tribes  of  El  Chaco,  the  assault  resulting  in  the  total  extinction 
of  the  said  settlement. 

In  regard  to  the  fifth  particular,  I  say  that  its  contents  are 
true  in  every  respect. 

In  regard  to  the  sixth  :  I  cannot  recollect  exactly  the  number 
of  inroads  made  by  the  enemies  during  the  four  years  of  the 
present  government  ;  but  I  know  that  they  are  no  more  than 
six,  they  having  been  always  well  punished  and  deprived  of 
their  spoils,  owing  to  the  skill  with  which  our  present  chief 
handles  the  troops  of  the  province.  In  regard  to  the  seventh, 
its  contents  are  true  in  every  respect.  Eespecting  the  eighth,  I 
repeat  what  I  have  already  certified  in  the  third  particular,  and 
I  will  say  further,  that  it  is  true  that  the  most  active  measures 
are  now  taken  to  settle  the  Nation  of  the  Tobas,  at  the  above 
cited  place  of  Paray,  witliin  El  Chaco.  Eegarding  the  ninth  : 
I  know  that  the  War  Department  of  the  Government  does  not 
contribute  anything  towards  the  said  settlements,  they  having 
been  founded  only  with  the  donations  and  gratuitous  subsidies 
of  the  residents,  many  of  them  obtained  at  the  request  of  his 
Lordship,  who,  with  the  greatest  exactness,  has  used  them  for 
the  purpose  for  which  they  were  intended.  Regarding  the 
tenth,  I  know  that  the  Reduccion  of  Mbocobies,  situated  at  the 
RemoUnos,   within  El   Chaco,   possesses  a  farm   Avith   plenty 


150 

cattle,  whicli  is  on  our  side  ;  the  number  of  Cattle  (I  am  in- 
formed) amounts  to  five  thousand  head;  and  respectting  all 
other  tilings  mentioned  in  the  interrogatory,  I  say  they  are 
true.  Respecting  the  eleventh,  it  is  all  true.  Eespectiug  the 
twelfth,  it  is  also  true  that  all  the  ground  therein  cited  is  covered 
with  i^irms  and  cattle;  and  respecting  the  question  about  the 
safety  of  the  banks  of  the  river,  I  say  that  it  appears  to  have 
been  secured. 

Regarding  the  thirteen*  h  particular,  my  answer  is  included  in 
the  preceding  one.  Regarding  the  fourteenth,  everything  therein 
contained  is  true.  Regarding  the  fifteenth,  I  have  sufficient 
reason  to  think  that  above  this  city  there  is  necessity  to  found 
one  or  several  more  towns,  and  that  they  are  not  settled  be- 
cause of  the  scanty  means  of  the  residents  of  this  province  who 
cannot  contril)ute  to  this,  end  after  having  given  so  much  for 
the  settlements  below  the  city  which  were  more  pressing.  In 
regard  to  the  sixteenth,  I  agree  entirely  with  the  ideas  of  the  in- 
terrogatory. Regarding  the  seventeenth,  it  is  self-evident 
that  the  founding  of  towns,  Indian  settlements  {reducciones), 
and  forts,  has  contributed  to  the  safety  of  this  province,  and 
that  without  them,  the  prophecy  made  in  the  interrogatory 
would  be  fulfilled.  Regarding  the  eighteenth,  it  is  true  that 
the  inhabitants  of  this  place,  on  account  of  their  poverty,  are 
unable  to  keep  so  many  settlements  without  the  aid  that  His 
Majesty,  our  Catholic  Monarch,  concedes  in  His  Royal  Letters 
Patent,  presented  by  tlie  Solicitor  General  of  this  city.  Regard- 
ing the  nineteenth,  everything  asked  therein  is  true.  Regarding 
the  twentieth,  everything  therein  asked  is  also  true.  Respecting 
the  twenty-first  and  last  particular :  I  say  that  I  have  seen,  while 
navigating  on  the  river,  all  the  new  settlements  made  during 
the  government  of  this  Governor,  except  the  reduccion  of  Remo- 
linos,  and  F(n-t  Taxibo  of  Neembucu,  which  are  distant  from  the 
banks,  and  Fort  of  Taguarias,  which  was  commenced  after  I 
passed  by.  All  that  I  have  certified,  substantially  is  publicly 
known,  and  generally  reported.  And  finally,  I  declare  that 
within  the  term  of  two  or  three  years,  the  cited  new  settlements 
will  attain  their  perfection,  if  the  same  principles  adopted  by 
the  present  Captain-General  are  observed,  and  if  the  settlements 


151 

enjoy  the  assistance  so  liberally  granted  by  H.  M.  Our  King 
and  Lord,  in  the  Eoyal  Letters  Patent  presented  by  the  Solici- 
tor General  of  this  Province.  This  is  all  I  can  say  paying  due 
respect  to  the  order  of  your  Lordship,  and  in  its  testimony  I 
have  caused  it  to  be  sealed  and  authorized  by  my  Secretary  in 
the  General  Visitation. 

May  our  Lord  preserve  your  Lordship  for  many  years. 

Asuncion,  the  twenty-fourth  of  February,  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  eighty-two. 

I  remain  your  most  respectful  chaplain, 

FEAY  mocENCio  ca:^ete. 

By  order  of  the  Reverend  Father  General  Visitor, 
Fray  Pedro  Antonio  Guerra, 
Lector  Artium  and  Sec.  to  the  Gen'l  Visitation. 

Senor  Coronel  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal, 
Governor  and  Ca})tain -General  of  this 
[l.  s.]  Province  of  Paraguay. 


152 


EXHIBIT  D. 

No.  3. 
To  the   Governor   and    Captain-General  Don  Pedro  Melo  de 


Certificate  of  the     In  auswer  "to  the  oflQcial  letter  of  your  Lordship  of  the  fif- 

Snperinr   of  the  .  '  .       ,  x    •        i     •        j.i 

Sacred  Convent  teen  th  inst.,  referring  to  several  particulars  containecl  m  tlie 
sain°Francis!'"^  memorial  and  interrogatories  filed  by  the  Solicitor-General  of 


this  city,  I  certify  in  due  form  of  law,  that  though  I  have  not 
seen  all  the  settlements  and  places  comprehended  in  this 
province,  tlie  progress  made  through  the  unrivalled  management 
of  the  present  Governor  is  so  well  known  that  nobody  is 
ignorant  (even  those  who  have  not  been  in  the  province)  of  the 
miserable  situation  and  the  calamities  that  affiicted  it  during 
the  previous  Governments,  notwithstanding  that  the  former 
Governors  thought  it  convenient  to  make  reducciones  and  place 
canoes  to  run  alongside  the  banks  of  the  river;  since  the  un- 
populated portion  of  the  frontier  being  more  than  eighty  leagues 
in  extent,  it  Avas  not  possible  to  prevent  the  passage  of  the  In- 
fidels, nor  watch  over  the  acts  of  the  settled  Indians.  Now  all 
these  projects  have  secured  the  safety  of  the  country,  because 
as  between  Angostura  and  Curupaity,  seven  fortresses  and  the 
town  at  Neembucii  have  been  founded,  and  the  canoes  kept  by 
each  fortress  have  been  ordered  to  run  daily  from  one  fortress  to 
another,  it  is  impossible  for  the  Indians  either  to  make  any 
movements  without  being  noticed,  or  to  attempt  any  inroad 
without  being  punished,  either  by  the  troops  garrisoned  in  the 
said  fortresses,  or  by  the  inhabitants  of  more  than  thirty  farms 
and  posts,  who  fill  with  every  kind  of  cattle  the  fields  which 
formerly  were  uncultivated.  These  forti-esses,  founded  by  the 
present"  Government,  are  not  only  a  safeguard  to  this  province, 
but  also  to  the  missions  of  the  Ex- Jesuits  ;  because  since  their 
foundation,  the  missions  have  not  suffered  from  any  inroad, 
and  that  proves  that  they  are  protected  by  the  forces  of  this 
province.  It  is  also  well  known  that  tlie  country  is  flourishing 
throuo-h  tlie  extension  of  its  territory  and  the  spread  of  agri- 


153 

culture,  owing  to  the  wise  measures  of  the  present  Government, 
never  thought  of  before,  as  far  as  I  know,  by  anybody,  whose 
example  the  present  Governor  would  imitate.  We  owe  to  his 
zeal  the  total  pacification  of  the  country,  its  population,  the 
progress  of  the  old  Missions  of  the  province,  the  increase  of  rev- 
enue with  the  abundance  of  the  products,  and  Jinallij  that  -we 
have  tiiw  reducciones  of  Mhocohies  and  Toias,  together  with  a 
good  farm  for  the  subsistence  of  tb.e  first.  But  only  the  founder 
of  these  settlements  can  keep  them  by  his  vigilance  and  untiring 
solicitude  for  the  welfare  of  these  people,  so  that  they  may 
contribute  their  useful  donations,  which  have  helped  towards 
the  foundations  of  new  settlements. 

It  is  understood  that  His  Majesty  our  King  will  appropriate 
the  funds  of  Crusade  for  this  purpose,  and  also  the  four  thousand 
dollars  of  the  /S'/-s-«  tax  of  Tucuman,  for  without  this  royal  aid, 
in  the  absence  of  the  present  Governor,  thedecline  of  the  country 
in  a  way  more  disgraceful  than  before  will  be  a  matter  of  little 
time.  Thus,  with  this  assistance,  and  some  other  means  con- 
ceded to  this  city,  under  the  management  of  the  ju-esent  Gover- 
nor, the  province  can  be  kept  in  its  actual  flourishing  condition, 
and  can  open  a  road  to  Potosi,  establishing  one  or  two  colo- 
nies as  halting  places  for  the  traders,  and  by  means  of  these 
measures,  the  communications  between  this  Province  and  8anta 
Cruz  de  la  Sierra,  now  obstructed  by  the  Infidels,  shall  be  reop- 
ened, and  we  will  have  thereby  an  open  road  to  Peru,  which  is 
very  useful,  not  only  for  carrying  to  that  Province  the  yerha 
wa/e,  but  also  for  the  transportation  of  the  quick-silver  existing 
in  the  neighborhood  of  this  province  ;  in  one  word,  to  render 
Paraguay  to  its  fornier  opulence.  So  I  think  and  certify,  and 
to  give  it  validity  I  issue  the  present,  sealing  it  with  the  seal  of 
this  convent  of  Our  Lady  de  los  Angeles  de  la  Asuncion  del 
Paraguay,  and  I  cause  it  to  be  countersigned  bv  one  of  the  Eev- 
erend  Fathers  of  the  said  convent  on  the  twenty-sixth  day  of 
the  month  of  February,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
eightj^-two. 

[L.  s.]  FEAY  JUAIS'  DE  AGUEKO, 

Superior 
Fray  Pedro  Antonio  ue  Gainza, 

Lector  de  Nona, 
20 


154 


EXHIBIT  D. 

No.  4. 

sfcr'ed'^Vona^s!  ^'  ^^''"^3"  Cristoval  Ibafiez,  General  Preacher,  Officer  of  the  In- 
tery  of  Pieach- quigition,  Synodal  Examiner  of  the  Bishopric  of  Tucuman,  and 
present  Prior  to  the  Monastery  of  Santa  Catalina,  Vergin  y 
Martyr  of  Paraguay,  of  the  Order  of  Preachers,  In  connection 
with  the  petition  and  particulars  contained  in  the  interroga- 
tories, copies  of  the  Royal  Letters  Patent  and  tabular  statement 
.showing  the  towns,  reducciones  [Indian  settlements]  fortified 
places,  forts  and  ports,  together  with  the  cattle,  inhabitants 
and  troops  on  duty  in  this  Province  of  Paraguay,  filed  by 
the  Solicitor-General  of  this  capital ;  and  according  to  the  in- 
iormation  I  have  got  during  my  thirteen  months'  residence  in 
this  monastery,  from  very  prominent  persons  both  ecclesiasti- 
cal and  secular  ;  I  hereby  certify,  as  far  as  lean,  that  everything 
related  by  the  Solicitor-General,  whether  in  his  memorial  or 
in  the  interrogatories  and  tabular  statement,  is  true,  and  that 
to  the  activity,  industry,  love  and  zeal  of  your  Lordship  it  is  due 
the  tranquillity  enjoyed  by  this  province,  of  which  it  lacked  for- 
merly on  account  of  the  wild  tribes  tJuit  committed  hostilities 
on  it,  by  plundering  its  farms  and  killing  its  inhabitants;  but 
that,  owing  to  the  untiring  vigilance  of  your  Lordship  the  pas- 
sage of  the  Infidel  enemy  just  through  the  places  where  they 
used  to  make  their  inroads  h.is  been  prevented.  A  result  of  this 
is  foresight  was  the  erection  of  the  forts  that  your  lordship  caused 
to  be  built,  known  by  the  namesof  Macaypira,  Ybyoca,  Nundiay, 
Lobato,  Naranjay,  licdaccion  of  Mbocobies,  with  a  fort  within, 
Erradura,  the  newfortof  Taquarus,  the  Villa  de  Neembuccu,with 
the  fort  of  Taxibo,  so  that  the  Infidels  have  no  shelter  in  the  pas- 
sages and  woods  on  our  side,  where  formerly  they  could  very  easily 
pass  through,  the  country  now  being  covered  with  farms  and 
fortresses;  and  being  frustrated  in  this  way  they  look  for 
peace  and  settlements,  such  as  at  present  it  is  the  case  with  the 
Toba?  ijation,  whose  reduccioyi  is  being  extended  on  the  side  of 


155 

the  Chaco  opposite  to  Naraiijay.  It  is  also  well  known  that  the 
inhabitants  of  this  city  have  given  security  to  the  region  below 
it,  but  on  account  of  their  poverty  they  cannot  keep  so  many 
establishments  without  the  assistance  that  our  Catliolic  Monarch 
concedes  by  his  royal  letters  patent,  for  otherwise  the  calamity 
foretold  in  the  seventeenth  particular  of  the  interrogatory  would 
come  to  pass.  That  is  all  I  can  certify  as  public,  well  known  and 
generally  reported,  in  answer  to  the  question  and  by  order  of  the 
Governor  and  Captain-General,  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal, 
dated  the  second  instant.  And  I  hereby  issue  the  present  at  the 
above  mentioned  Monastery  ofPreachers,  sealed  with  the  seal 
of  the  same,  and  conntersigned  by  our  notary  on  the  fourth  of 
the  said  month  of  March,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
eighty- two. 

[l.  S.J  •  FRAY  Cristobal  Ibanez, 

Prior. 
By  order  of  the  Reverend  Father,  ) 
Prior,  '  f 

Fray  Josef  Pelltza, 

Notary  of  the  Convent. 


156 


EXHIBIT  D. 

No.  5. 
Certificate  of       ^r^^   ^j-jg   venerable    Chapter   Governor  of    this    bishopric, 
Eccie^'u'sticijy  the' illustrious   Senor   Don    Fray  Luis   de  Velazco,  of  His 
Episcopal'  Gov^  Majestj's  Council,  and  worthy  Bishop  of  this  Church  of   the 
""°°''  Asuncion  of  Paraguay.     In  consideration  of  the  official  letter 

that  on  the  twenty-seventh  of  February,  ultimo,  and  at  the 
request  of  the  Solicitor-General  of  this  city,  the  present  Gov- 
ernor and  Captain- General  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal  deemed 
expedient   to   send  to   us,  asking  us   to  report  upon  the  peti- 
tion which,  together  with  some  interrogatories,  was  presented 
to  your  Lordship,  a  copy  of   which  was  sent  to   us,  together 
witii   other  records  and  royal  letters  patent  referring  to   the 
assistance  to   be  given  to  this  province  to  repel   the  Infidels 
who   commit  hostilities   against  it,  to  which  end  four  thou- 
sand  dollars  in    silver  from   the   sisa  tax  of  the  Province  of 
Tucuman  and  also  the  product  of  the  Bull  of  the  Crusade  were 
appropriated  to  show  his  interest  in  the  defence  of  this  province, 
the  defence  of  Catholic  creed  and  its   progress.      We  therefore 
certify  to  the  King,  our  Lord,  and  to  his  Royal  High  Council, 
that  "everything  expressed  by  the  above  cited  Solicitor-General 
in  his  memorial  concerniug  the  general  condition  of  the  province, 
is  true,  and  that  we  are  aware  of  its  being  public  and  well  known, 
except  some  particular  items  of  Avhich  we    are  not  personally 
aware,  they  having  happened  during  the  campaign,  and  to  which 
we,  therefore,  cannot  answer  with  the  assurance  and  faithful- 
ness becoming    to    our  office    and   position.      This  being  the 
case,    and   for  the   sake  of    clearness,   we  go   to   express  our 
views  concerning  each  item  contained  in  the  general  tabular 
statement.     In  regard  to  the  first  item,  referring  to  the  number 
of  towns,  reduccioues  (Indian  settlements),  fortified  places,  forts 
and  posts  existing,  together  with  the  number  of  cattle,  inhabi- 
tants and  troops   therein  referred  to,  we  are  aware  that  this 
province   contains   and   supports  the  Indian   villages   therein 


157 

specified  and  enumerated ;  and  respecting  the  spiritual  ecclesi- 
astical government,  there  are  within  its  boundaries  thirteen  vil- 
lages more  of  Guaraui  Indians,  the  same  that  were  under  the 
care  of  the  banished  reoulars  of  the  extinguished  Society, 
namely  :  Nuestra  Senora  de  F e,  San  Ignacio  Guazu,  Santa  Kosa, 
Santiago,  San  Cosme,  Itapua,  Jesus,  Trinidad,  Corpus,  Saa 
Ignacio  Mini,  Loreto,  Santa  Ana  and  Candeleria.  We  are  also 
aware  of  the  existence  of  the  following  named  towns  (villas) 
founded  long  ago,  viz..  Villa  Rica  del  Espiritu  Santo,  where 
there  is  a  parochial  church,  with  curate  and  assistant,  and  the 
other,  San  Isidro  Labrador,  with  a  curate  and  an  assistant,  in  the 
Santa  Eosa  de  Carimbatay  valleys.  In  the  districts  of  this 
capital,  besides  the  parishes  already  mentioned  by  the  Solicitor- 
General,  there  are  four  parishes  served  by  Spaniards,  viz. :  Capiata, 
distant  five  leagues  from  this  capital ;  IS^uestra  Senora  del  Eosa- 
rio,  of  the  District  of  Piriaju,  distant  from  the  above  named 
about  seven  or  eight  leagues;  Nuesto  Senor  de  los  Milagros  de 
Piribebuy,  above  the  Cordillera,  at  fourleag'ies  from  the  second 
place ;  Nuestra  Senora  del  -Eosario,  of  the  District  of  Crapegua, 
at  about  eight  or  nine  leagues  from  Pirajti.  These  parishes 
have  their  assistants  at  proportionate  distances,  together  with 
their  chapels,  viz. :  first,  Nuestra  Seuora  del  Eosario  de 
Luque  :  second,  San  Josef  del  Peiion  ;  third,  San  Lorenzo  del 
Campo  Grande;  fourth,  San  Lorenzo  de  la  Frontera;  fifth, 
Nuestra  Senora  del  Eosario  at  Itaugue ;  sixth,  Paraguari,  at 
one  of  the  farms  that  belonged  to  the  ex- Jesuits ;  seventh, 
Nuestra  Sefiora  de  los  Milagros  de  Cuacupe  ;  eighth,  San  Eoque, 
of  the  District  of  Barrero  Grande;  ninth,  Nuestro  Senora  del 
Eosario  de  Cariy;  tenth,  Nuestra  Senora  del  Eosario  de  los 
Ajos;  eleventh,  San  Lorenzo  at  Quindy;  twelfth,  San  Josef,  at 
Ibicuy  ;  thirteenth,  San  Josef  at  Quygujo  ;  fourteenth,  Nues- 
tra Seflora  del  Eosario,  at  Lambare.  All  these  parishes  were 
founded  and  are  supported  by  the  inhabitants  of  their  respective 
districts,  because  their  own  funds  are  very  scanty.  The  curates 
and  their  assistants  are  also  maintained  by  the  respective 
parishioners,  since  their  earnings  are  insignificant,  each  family 
contributing  according  to  the  number  of  its  members  and 
its   means,    as   the   said   ministers   do  not   participate   in    the 


158 

tithes,  wLicli   belong   to   this   city.      The  other  villas  (towns) 
have,  as  is  expressed  by  the  said  Solicitor-General,  been  lounded 
lately,    and  we  are   aware    that   it  is   public    and    of    general 
report,  that   the   one  lately  founded  by  the  present  Governor, 
Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  is    the    most    plentiful  in  pro- 
duets  and  cattle,  without  our  knowing  of  any  extortion,  oflfence 
or  violence  committed  on  any  of  their  inhabitants  by  the  said 
Governor  ;  on  the  contrary,  he  has  always  conducted  himself 
with  the  utmost  prudence  and  kindness.     Regarding  the  other 
towns  formerly  founded,  we  are  informed  that  they  now  suffer 
from  scarcity,  and  are  liable  to  come  to  an  end,  since  even  the 
chaplains  who  attend  to  them  are  compelled  to  go  to  other  dis- 
tricts asking  for  help,  and  some  members  of  the  chapter  have 
helped  them  when  they  related  their  misfortunes  and  wants  to  us, 
there  being  no  other  institution  which  could  provide  for  their 
necessities.    Regarding  the  fortified  places,  forts  and  posts,  cattle, 
inhabitants  and  troops  therein  referred  to  ;  we  are  aware  that 
what  has  been  stated  by  the  said  Solicitor-General  is  true  as  a 
fact    of  public   report  and  knowledge  ;    but  we  are  not  aware 
of  the   exact   number   of   these   places,    and   still   less   of  the 
number   of  cattle,   inhabitants    and    troops.      Respecting   the 
third,  we  are  also  aware  that   it  is    as  reported,  though  with 
reference   to    the   complete   tranquillity   of    the    province,   we 
are  informed  that  tlie  Infidels  have  made  some  inroads  into  the 
districts,  doing  some  damage  to  the  inhabitants,  greater  injuries 
having  been  prevented  through  the  vigilance  of  the  Governor 
and  his  officers.     There  is  no  doubt  that  the  Infidels,  having 
seen  that  they  do  not  possess  now  .the  liberty  and  opportunities 
they  formerly  had  to  execute  their  roblieries  and  murders,  and 
to  carry  away  captives,  have  been  compelled  to  ask  for  reduc- 
ciones,   being   at  the  same  time    impelled   by   the    wants   and 
poverty  they  suffer  in  their  lands.     Respecting  the  fourth,  the 
Infidef  nations  wliich  we  know  to  have  been  the  enemies  of  the 
province,  are  the  Mbocobis  and  Abipones,  that  in  part,  under  the 
jjresent  (jovernment   have  ame  agaiu   to  he  settled  and  to  ask 
fur    adtuission    in  their  old   and  abaiiduned   reduccion   and  to 
remain    quiet    and    peaceful,    a   religious    teacher   instructing 
them,    in    order   to  implant  in    their  souls    the  principles    of 


159 

our  Holv  Catliolic  Faith,  aud  having  ah-eady  baptized  some  of 
them.  The  other  nation  is  the  Tobas — the  mure  daring.  Re- 
garding them  we  have  been  informed  by  the  present  Governor 
and  Captain-General  that  they  ask  for  a  reduccion,  and  that  they 
are  at  present  established  at  the  place  fixed  by  his  Lordship;  and 
implements  and  other  kind  of  aid  to  build  the  settlement  have 
already  been  sent  them,  and  steps  taken  to  send  also  a  religious 
teacher  to  instruct  them.  The  Mbayas  nation,  now  keeps  the 
peace,  and  owing  to  this  fact,  the  province  has  tranquillity  and 
safety  on  the  side  situated  above  this  city,  without  suffering 
from  this  powerful  and  numerous  nation,  as  it  was  the  case 
m  former  times,  with  loss  of  life  and  property  :  a  small  num- 
ber of  them  are  at  the  settlement  of  Nuestra  Sehora  de  Belen, 
with  very  scanty  means  of  subsistence,  owing  to  the  want  of 
means  to  aid  them.  The  other  nation  is  the  Lenguas,  an 
enemy  of  us  that  remains  as  formerly,  but,  as  we  are  informed, 
without  our  suffering  from  the  hostilities  that  they  committed  in 
former  times.  The  other  nations  are  those  of  the  Payaguas 
and  Guanas,  which  keep  the  peace,  without  inflicting  any  harm 
upon  the  province:  but  we  are  always  on  the  alert  in  regard  to 
them,  the  Payaguas  having  always  been  very  unreliable  in 
former  times.  And  finallv,  the  infidel  and  hostile  nation  of  the 
Caaiuguas  Indians,  on  the  side  and  boundaries  of  the  Min- 
erales  de  la  Yerbn,  about  a  hundred  leagues  from  this  capital, 
and  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Villa  de  Curuguat3^  These 
attack  the  cultivators  of  the  yerba,  causing  injury  to  life  and 
property,  and  in  order  to  hold  them  in  check,  the  present 
government  has  taken  some  suitable  measures. 

Eespecting  the  fifth  particular,  we  are  aware  only  of  the 
offences  therein  referred  to,  and  of  the  valuable  donations  made 
by  the  inhabitants  for  their  foundation. 

Respecting  the  sixth,  we  have  already  spoken  of  the  vigilance 
and  zeal  of  the  Governor. 

With  regard  to  the  seventh,  we  are  informed  only  in  a  gen- 
eral way,  but  not  with  the  minuteness  necessary,  and  we  are 
also  aware  of  the  raids  made  in  El  Chaco. 

Respecting  the  eighth,  we  have  already  spoken  what  we  know 
about  it. 


160 

Respectiug  the  ninth  we  are  informed,  as  it  is  publicly  known 
and  generally  reported,  that  the  Royal  Treasury  has  not  dis- 
bursed by  any  sum  for  the  support  of  the  said  reducciones  ex- 
thesum  which  the  Royal  Treasury  contributed  to  aid  the  Mbo- 
cobies  reduce  ion. 

Respecting  the  War  Department,  it  is  well  known  in  this 
city,  and  it  is  also  publicly  known  that  the  said  reducciones 
were  founded  with  the  donations  and  assistance  liberally  con- 
tributed by  the  inhabitants  at  the  request  of  the  present  Gov- 
ernor, said  donations  having  been  employed  in  this  object 
without  allowing  anything  to  other  objects. 

Regarding  the  tenth,  we  lack  information  about  it,  and  are 

only  aware  of  the  desertion  of  the  Infidels  in  former  times. 

Respecting  the  eleventh,  its  contents  are  true  and  well  known. 

Respecting  the  twelfth,  we  know  also  from  general  report  of 

the   foundation   of   the   said   town  by  virtue  of  Royal  grants 

made  by  the  present  government. 

Respecting  the  thirteenth,  it  can  be  inferred  from  the  position 
of  the  forts  and  towns  that  the  protection  of  the  districts  is  very 
effective. 

Respecting  the  fourteentli.  we  are  aware  that  in  this  city  the 
fact  was  correctly  reported. 

Respecting  the  fifteenth,  the  great  utility  of  building  towns 
above  this  city,  for  the  better  safety  of  the  inhabitants  is 
beyond  question,  it  being  evident  that  this  has  not  been  done 
up  to  the  present  for  want  of  means,  the  inhabitants  being 
unable  to  make  further  contributions. 

Respecting  the  sixteenth,  we  have  no  information  aboitt  it ; 
but  we  know  that  the  opening  of  the  straight  road  to  Peru 
would  prove  very  useful,  and  has  been  contemplated  several 
times. 

Respecting  the  seventeenth,  its  contents  are  true  in  their 
bearings,  as  was  formerly  demonstrated  by  experience,  when 
there   were  none  of  the  existing  fortresses. 

Respecting  the  eighteenth,  the  general  poverty  of  the  inhab- 
itants is  Well  known,  and  therefore  the  said  redticcion  cannot 
subsist  without  the  aid  of  llis  Majesty  the  Kng,  by  virtue  of 
the  fiulfillment  of  what  his  royal  mercy  has  conceded   by   his 


161 

Royal  Letters  Patent  in  favor  uf  this  iirovince,  recorded  in  the 
papers  sent  to  us. 

Respecting  the  nineteenth,  the  items  respecting  the  poverty 
of  the  inhabitants,  notwithstanding  the  advantages  of  the 
extensive  lands,  and  the -peace  they  enjoy,  are  Avell  known  as  the 
increased  labDr  they  have  in  the  erection  of  the  new  forts  and 
posts  deprives  them  of  the  time  necessary  to  devote  to  the  culti- 
vation of  the  land  and  other  labors  tending  to  their  profit.  The 
measure  taken  by  the  Governor  in  creating  commissaries  to 
watch  and  compel  the  laborers  to  cultivate  the  land  is  also  well 
known. 

Respecting  t!ie  twentieth,  we  believe  that  at  present  there  is 
more  assiduity  in  working  and  also  the  contribution  of  a  certain 
number  of  Indians  made  by  the  tow^ns  towards  the  working  of 
the  segar  manufactory  established  at  San  Lorenzo  on  the  King's 
account,  and  the  work  of  which  is  very  punctually  done  by  order 
of  the  present  Governor, 

Respecting  the  twenty-first,  that  if  the  instructions  given  at 
the  time  of  the  erection  of  the  said  new  establishments,  are  car- 
ried out,  and  if  they  do  not  lack  the  necessary  subsidies,  the 
greatest  advantages  will  be  obtained.  And  in  conformity  to  the 
foregoing  etems,  we  cause  to  be  given,  and  do  give  the  present, 
in  compliance  with  the  official  letter  sen  c  to  us  by  the  Governor 
and  Captain-General  of  this  province,  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Por- 
tugal, at  the  request  of  the  Solicitor-General  of  this  capital. 

Done  at  Asuncion,  on  tlie  sixth  of  March,  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  eighty-two. 

Doctor  Aktoxio  de  la  Pena, 
Doctor  Pedro  de  Zamudio. 

By  order  of  the  Venerable  Chapter  Episcopal  Governor, 

Juan  Manuel  Morilla, 
Xotary  Public,  and  Secretary  to  the  Chapter. 

Order  of  the  Governor. — Asuncion  of  Paraguay,  the  eighth  of 
March,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-two.     The  tes- 
timony asked  by  the  Solicitor- General  of  this  city  being  con- 
cluded,  it  is  approved  according  to  law",   and  for  its  better 
21 


162 

validity,  I  give  it  my  sanction.     Deliver  the  original  proceed- 
ings to  the  said  Solicitor  General  to  the  ends  therein  expressed. 

i\lELO  DE  Portugal, 
Doctor  Cakete. 

So  it  was  decreed  by  the  Governor  and  Captain  General  of 
this  province,  and  was  signed  by  hini  at  the  city  of  Asuncion,  on 
the  date  before  mentioned.  In  testimony  wherefrom  I  give  the 
present. 

Maxuel  Bachicao, 
Notary  Public  to  His  Majesty. 

This  copy  agrees  with  its  originals,  which  in  virtue  of  the 
order  of  the  eighth  of  March,  I  delivered  to  the  Solicitor  Gen- 
eral of  the  city,  and  ro  them  I  refer  ;  it  is  true  and  exact,  cor- 
rected and  amended,  and  by  virtue  of  the  order  made  on  the 
twenty-eighth  of  Octobor,  I  cause  the  jiresent  to  be  made,  which 
I  sign  at  Asuncion,  Paraguay,  on  the  twelfth  of  March,  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-two.  In  presence  of 
witness, 

Manuel  Bachicao, 
Notary  Public  to  His  Majesty. 


163 


EXHIBIT  E. 

Xo.  1. 

His  Excellency,  the  President  of  the  Eepublie  of  Paraguay,  g^ion^Jud^fmHs' 
Don  Carlos  Antonio  Lopez,  and  His  Excellency,  the  Provisional  gu^J^anli  the'^A^- 
Director  of  the  Argentine  Confederation,  General  Don  JustoS"^"\*y72.^'^'"" 
Jose  de  Urqniza,  being  actuated  by  the  desire  of  finally  fixing 
the  relations  between  both  States,  and  basing  them  upon  the  prin- 
ciples of  their  mutual  interests,  community  of  origiD,  and  other 
causes  that  naturally  tend  to  unite  them,  have  resolved  to  fix, 
as  far  as  the  most  essential  part  thereof  is  concerned,  the  terri- 
torial boundaries,  and  to  establish  at  the  same  time  the  basis 
on  which  the  commerce  and  navigation  between  the  two  Eepub- 
lics  must  be  regulated,  and  to  this  effect,  His  Excellency,  the 
President  of  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay,  has  appointed  Don 
Benito  Varela,  Secretary  pro  fern,  of  Foreign  Kelatiotis  of  the 
Republic,  and  His  Excellency,  the  Provisional  Director  of  the 
Argentine  Confederation,  has  appointed  Doctor  Don  Santiago 
Derqui;  and  these  Plenipotentiaries  having  exchanged  their  full 
powers,  and  found  them  in  due  form,  have  agreed  on  the  fol- 
lowing articles  : 

Article  I. 
The  Parana  river  will  be  the  boundary  between  the  Argentine 
Confederation  and  the  Republic  of  Paraguay,  from  the  Brazilian 
possessions  until  two  leagues  above  the  lower  mouth  of  the  Atajo 
island. 

Aeticle  II. 

The  island  of  Yasireta  remains  to  be  a  portion  of  the  Para- 
guayan territory;  and  the  island  of  Apipe  shall  be  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Argentine  Republic.  The  other  islands,  either  dry, 
or  liable  to  be  overflowed,  belong  to  the  nearest  territory  on 
Avhich  they  lie. 

t  Article  HI. 

It  is  stipulated,  as  a  special  condition  of  this  treaty,  that  free 
and  frank   communication   shall  be   maintained  between  the 


164 

Villas  of  la  Encarnacioii  of  Paraua  and  San  Borja  of  Uruguay, 
for  the  Paraguayan  and  Brazilian  Mails,  and  that  these  mails 
shall  be  given  the  necessary  escort  for  their  protection. 

Article  IV. 
The  Paraguay  river,    and  its  two  banks,  up  to  its  conflu- 
ence with  the  Parana  river,  belong  in  complete  sovereignty  to 
the  Republic  of  Paraguay. 

Article  V. 
The  navigation  of  the  Bermejo  river  is  completely  common 
to  both  States. 

Article  VI. 
A  tract  of  land,  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  a  league  wide,  shall 
be  neutral  territory,  so  that  from  the  mouth  of  the  Bermejo  to 
the  Atajo  river,  neither  of  the  high  contracting  parties  shall  be 
permitted  to  make  any  military  post,  even  for  police  purposes, 
or  with  the  object  of  watching  over  the  barbarians  that  live  on 
that  side. 

Article  VII. 
The  Confederation  concedes  the  Eepublic  free  navigation  for 
its  flag  on  the  Parana  river  and  its  affluents,  granting  it  all  the 
franchises  and  advantages  that  civilized  Governments,  united 
by  special  treaties  of  commerce,  grant  to  each  other.  It  will  not 
detain  or  prevent,  or  tax  any  mercantile  expedition  having  as 
its  object  the  passage  through  the  fluvial  or  land  territory  of 
the  Confederation  to  Paraguayan  ports,  or  from  these  to  any 
foreign  ports,  nor  will  it  subject  the  same  to  inspection,  taxes, 
researches,  opening  of  bulks,  &c.,  &c. ,  which  at  the  same  time 
that  are  a  trouble  to  commerce,  destroy  and  annoy  it  and  drive 
it  away  from  frequenting  tlie  more  productive  ways. 

Article   VIII. 
In  the  same  terms,  as  set  forth  in  the  preceding  article,  the 
Republic  of  Paraguay  grants  the  Argentine  flag. the  free  navi- 
gation of  the   Paraguay  river  and   its  tributaries,  and  also  free 
transit  through  its  territory  by  land. 


165 

Aeticle  IX. 
It  is  understood  that  both  States  have  the  right  to  enact  such 
regulations  as  they  may  deem  necessary  to  avoid  smuggling 
or  provide  for  their  safety.  &c.,  and  that  the  lawful  use  of  their 
complete  sovereignty  in  their  lluvial  territory  when  not  limited 
by  pul)]ic  law  or  express  treaties,  is  completely  reserved. 

Article   X. 
Ths  Confederation    shall    grant  free  transit  on  the    Parana 
river  to  other  foreign  flags  as  soon  as  the  required  arrangements 
are  made. 

Article   XL 

The  Government  of  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay,  in  common 
with  the  Grovernment  of  the  Argentine  Confederation,  shall 
co-operate,  according  to  the  means  afforded  by  the  topographical 
position  of  the  former  country,  to  facilitate  the  navigation  of 
the  Bermejo  river,  by  removing  the  obstructions  that  may  be 
found  in  its  channel  or  erecting  suitable  works  to  improve  it,  or 
establishing  stations,  where  the  ships  may  stop,  at  the  places 
agreed  to  by  both  Governments. 

Article  XII. 
The  Government  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay  shall,  when  in- 
vited by  the  Government  of  the  Argentine  Confederation,  estab- 
lish, by  common  consent,  a  port  of  entry  at  the  place  where  the 
Pilcomayo  river  ceases  to  be  navigable,  so  that  the  trade  may 
have  the  shortest  possible  land  road  through  Paraguayan  terri- 
tory to  the  Bolivian  border.  A  garrison  shall  be  established 
there  in  the  same  way. 

Article  XIII. 
The  citizens  of  Paraguay,  whether  residents  or  transient,  in 
the  Argentine  Confederation,  and  the  citizens  of  the  Argentine 
Confederation,  whether  residents  or  transient,  in  the  Republic  of 
Paraguay,  shall  enjoy  personally,  the  same  advantages  and  privi- 
leges of  the  citizens  of  their  respective  countries,  their  in- 
dividual rights  being  respected,  and  they  remaining  subject 
only  to  the  civil  laws  in  force  and  to  the  procedures  therein  laid 
down. 


y'4 

Article  XIV. 
By  virtue  of  the  friendship  established  between  both  Republics 
by  their  community  of  origin,  interests  and  respective  position, 
the  citizens  of  Paraguay  whose  talents  the  Paraguayan  Govern- 
ment may  wish  to  cultivate  in  any  of  the  high  schools  sup- 
ported by  the  general  Government  of  the  Argentine  Confedera- 
tion, shall  be  considered  as  Argentine  citizens. 

Article  XV. 
The  present  treaty  shall  be  ratified  by  His  Excellency,  the 
President  of  the  Republic  of  Pai'aguay,  six  days  after  its  date; 
and  by  His  Excellency  the  Provisional  Director  of  the  Argentine 
Confederation,  sixty  days  after  its  date ;  the  ratifications  to  be 
exchanged  at  the  city  of  Corrientes. 

In  witness  whereof,  the  undersigned  Plenipoten- 
tiaries have  signed  their  names  to  the  present 
Treaty,  made  in  duplicate,  and  have  affixed  there- 
to their  seals,  causing  it  to  be  countersigned  by 
their  respective  Secretaries,  at  Asuncion,  the 
capital  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay,  on  the 
fifteenth  day  of  the  month  of  July,  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  fifty-two. 
(L.  s. )  BENITO  VARELA, 

MARIANO  GONZALEZ, 

Secreiary. 
(L.  s.)  SANTIAGO  DERQUI, 

MANUEL  CABRAL, 

Secretary. 


Department  of  Foreign  Relations. 
Act  of  Exchange  ^y^,^  j),^,^  Beuito  Varchi,  Secretary  of  Statp,  ad  interim,  of 
the  Republic  of  Paraguay,  and  Doctor  Don  Santiago  Dei-qui, 
Charge  d'Affaires  of  the  Argentine  Confederation,  and  on  a 
special  mission  near  the  Government  of  the  Republic,  in  virtue 
of  the  full  power  given  to  us  to  adjust  the  Treaty  of  the  15th 
of  July  instant,  and  being  authorized  by  our  respective  Govern- 
ments  to  proceed  to*  exchange  the  rai/ificaLions  of  that  treaty, 


1(17 

wliieh  by  ulterior  common  consent  has  to  be  done  in  this  cap- 
ital, do  say  that  we  have  examined  the  ratifications  made  by 
His  Excellency,  the  President  of  the  Republic,  Don  Carlos 
Antonio  Lopez,  on  the  19th  of  the  same  month  of  July,  and  by 
His  Excellency,  the  Brigadier-General,  Don  Jnsto  Jose  de 
Urquiza,  Provisional  Director  of  the  Argentine  Confederation^ 
on  the  20th  of  August  ultimo,  and  having  found  that  the  text 
of  the  said  treaty  is  exactly  the  same  in  both  instruments,  and 
that  their  respective  ratifications  are  in  the  proper  form,  ac- 
cording to  nsage  and  international  law,  whereupon  v/e  have 
made  the  exchange  thereof.  In  whose  testimony,  we  have  sign- 
ed our  names  to  two  copies  of  this  act,  v  hich  we  have  sealed 
with  our  seals,  and  our  respective  Secretaries  have  countersigned, 
at  this  city  of  Asuncion,  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  the  month  of 
September,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-two. 

(L.  s.)  BENITO  VAEELA, 

MARIANO  GONZALEZ, 

Secretary. 

(L.  s.)  SANTIAGO   DERQUI, 

MANUEL   CABRAL, 

Secretary. 


A  true  copy  of  the  original. 


F.  RIQUELME, 

Chief  Clerk. 


Long  Live  the  Argentine  Confedeeation  ! 

Asuncion,  July  26,  1852. 
To  His  Excellency  the  Minister  of  Foreign  Relations  of  the  ^,^The^  c^^args 
Provisional  Government  of  the  Argentine  Confederation  :  ^Xf^l^J^  C"^'^^ 
I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  the  Treaty  of  Limits  and  Naviga- fp^^jf^'  g'j™ 
tion  which  I,  together  with  the  Plenipotentiary  of  this  Govern- -j^^J^^t^oyi^eR^ 
ment  have  signed  to,  on  the  15th  instant,  as  I  announced  toguay. 
your  Excellency  in  my  note  of  the  12th  of  same. 

Your  Excellency  will  be  informed  by  the  official  announce- 
ment of  this  Government  of  the  ratification  of  the  said  treaty 
by  his  Excellency  the  President  of  the  Republic. 

I  trust  to  have  fulfilled  by  it  the  object  set  forth  in  my  in- 
structions, especially  in  regard  to  the  very  important  point  of 


16S 

promoting  commerce  through  onr  interior  rivers,  facilitating 
thereby  as  far  as  possible  the  trade  with  the  Republic  of  Bolivia. 

The  only  point  not  mentioned  in  the  said  instructions  is  the 
neutrality  of  the  territory  of  the  coast  of  El  Chaco,  established 
by  the  Gth  Article.  This  provision  was  deemed  by  the  Para- 
guayan Government  to  be  necessary  for  the  exterior  safety  of 
the  Eepublic,  and  was  specially  intended  to  prevent  the  estab- 
lishment of  military  posts  that  should  be  a  constant  menace  to 
its  territory,  owing  to  the  narrowness  of  the  river  at  that  place. 
Moreover,  that  tract  of  neutral  coast  is  of  no  value,  it  being  an 
inaccessible  marsh  in  time  of  inundations,  and  overflowed  to  a 
greater  extent  than  the  neutral  tract.  And  as  this  concession 
did  not  interfere  in  any  manner  with  the  freedom  of  navigation 
obtained  by  the  8th  Article,  I  thought  it  better  not  to  refuse 
the  Government  of  the  Eepublic  a  point  which  does  not  impair 
interests  of  the  Confederation,  especially  so,  when  the  same 
Government  was  willing  to  accept  the  11th  and  12th  Articles, 
which  are  of  such  great  importance  to  the  Argentine  Govern- 
ment. It  was  very  difficult  to  fix  the  adjacency  of  the  island  of 
Atajo,  on  account  of  its  position,  because  it  is  equidistant  from 
both  coasts,  and  therefore  I  agreed  to  the  plan  of  dividing  it 
equally,  giving  half  to  each  State ;  and  so  it  is  that  the  Parana 
river  serves  as  a  boundary  between  the  two  nations  until  two 
leagues  above  its  lower  mouth,  where  it  has  been  considered  to 
be  divided  in  two  parts  approximately  equal.  This  island  is 
overflowed  by  great  inundations,  and  on  this  account  is  unin- 
habited, its  only  use  being  to  sujiply  lumber  when  the  condition 
of  the  rivers  allow  it. 

The  islands  of  Apipe  and  Yacireta  are  considerably  more  ad- 
jacent to  their  respective  territories  in  whose  possession  they 
remain,  and  they  are  the  only  remarkable  ones  on  the  Parana 
river  in  the  extent  in  which  said  riverserves  as  a  boundary. 

Of  all  of  this  I  inform  your  Excellency,  in  order  that  your 
Excellency  may  deign  to  bring  it,  together  with  the  treaty  to 
which  it  refers,  to  the  knowledge  of  his  Excellency  the  Provis- 
.sional  Director  of  the  Confederation. 

I  i-emain  your  respectful  servant, 

SANTIAGO  DERQUI. 


169 

Long  Live  the  Argentine  Confederation  ! 
Department  of  Foreign  Reltitions  of  the  Argentine  Confederation. 

Buenos  Ayres,  August  20,  1852. 
To  the  Charge  d'AffUires  of  the  Argentine  Confederation  in  the 
Eepublic  of  Paraguay  : 

The  undersigned  has  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  note  of 
of  the  26th  of  July,  together  with  the  Treaty  of  Limits  and 
Navigation  signed  by  your  Excellency  and  the  Plenipotentiary 
of  that  Government,  announcing  at  the  same  time  that  it  has 
been  ratified  by  his  Excellency  the  President  of  the  Republic  of 
Paraguay. 

The  Argentine  Government  has  attentively  studied  that  treaty, 
and  considering  it  to  be  advantageous  to  the  interests  of  both 
Republics,  lias  put  upon  it  the  seal  of  its  approval  by  ratifying  it, 
promising  the  faithful  and  strict  fulfillment  of  its  terms,  and 
returning  it  to  Your  Excellency  for  the  exchange  of  the  ratifi- 
cations. 

The  course  observed  by  Your  Excellency  in  the  discharge  of 
your  high  mission  has  deserved  the  approval  of  His  Excellency 
the  Provisional  Director,  who  particularly  has  directed  me  to 
congratulate  you  on  the  subject.  The  Argentine  Government 
acknoAvledges  that  the  services  done  by  Your  Excellency  are  of 
great  importance,  and  rejoices  heartily  over  the  fulfilment  of 
the  hopes  it  entertained  when  it  entrusted  such  an  important 
mission  to  your  talents  and  patriotism. 

The  undersigned,  on  his  part,  avails  of  this  opportunity  to 
congratulate  the  Charge  d' Affaires  for  the  happy  termination  of 
his  mission,  offering  to  him  the  testimony  of  his  high  respect. 

LUIS  JOSE  DE  LA  VE^A. 


22 


170 


EXHIBIT   E. 

No.  2. 

To  His  Excellency  the  Provisional  Director  of  the  Argentine 
Confederation,  General  Don  JusTO  Jose  de  Ukquiza, 

i 

Asuncion  del  Paraguay,  July  28,  1852. 
Particularly  esteemed  Sir : 
the''pres!de^'t'™      ^^  ^  annoimced  to  Your  Excellency  in    my  previous  com- 
p%skWo°t  [he  "^^^^^^"^'^^'^^'^  ^^  12tli  inst.,  the  recognition  of  the  Republic  of 
Argentine  Con- p.j,,.jn-^iay,  bv  the  Aro-eutine  Confederation  was  celebrated  here 

federation,    and  in        '  ^      J  t- 

his  answer.       qu    the   17th.     Tliis  important  act  was  celebrated  witli  great 
enthusiasm  in  this  city  and  its  vicinity. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  congratnlate  Your  Excellency,  and  in 
your  illustrions  person  the  Argentine  Confederation,  on  the 
happy  event  of  the  restoration  of  friendly  relations  between  two 
sister  Republics,  called  by  nature  and  a  common  origin  to 
promote  their  mutual  welfare. 

On  the  15th  a  treaty  of  navigation  and  limits  between  this 
Republic  and  the  Argentine  Confederation  was  concluded  and 
signed  by  the  Plenipotentiaries  of  our  two  Governments,  and  it 
was  ratified  by  this  Government,  on  the  19th,  as  Your  Excel- 
lency will  be  informed  through  the  proper  source. 

I  take  the  liberty  to  recommend  very  particularly  to  the 
consideration  of  Your  Excellency,  the  friendly  conduct,  the 
agreeable  manners,  the  patriotism  and  the  noble  behaviour  of  the 
Charge  d'Affairs  of  the  Argentine  Confederation,  Doctor  Don 
Santiago  Derqui.  By  the  wise  selection  of  this  diplomatist, 
made  by  Y''our  Excellency,  tlie  objects  of  his  important  mission 
towards  this  Government  liave  been  fully  accomplished. 

I  desire  to  have  any  opportunity  to  prove  to  Your  Excellency, 
the  perfect  afifection  and  loyal  friendship  of  your 

Devoted  servant, 
CARLOS  ANTONIO  LOPEZ. 


171 

To  His  Excellency  the  President  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay, 
Don  Carlos  Antonio  Lopez. 

BtJEsros  Ayres,  August  20,  1852. 
My  esteemed  friend: 

I  have  j-eceived  with  great  pleasure  the  confidential  letter  of 
Your  Excellency  of  the  28tli  ultimo,  in  which  you  inform  me 
that  a  treaty  of  navigation  and  limits  between  both  Republics 
was  concluded  and  signed  by  the  Argentine  and  Paraguayan 
PIeni])otentiaries,  and  that  said  treaty  has  been  ratified  by  your 
Government  on  the  19th  of  last  month. 

The  Argentine  Grovernment  after  having  most  carefully  con- 
sidered this  treaty,  has  found  it  to  be  so  just  and  agreeable  to 
the  reciprocal  interests  of  both  Republics,  that  it  has  also 
hastened  on  its  side  to  ratify  it,  thereby  sanctioning  the  terms 
agreed  upon, 

I  think  it  useless  to  enumerate  the  immense  advantages  to 
be  derived  from  that  treaty  l)y  both  countries.  They  being 
called  by  nature  and  by  a  variety  of  circumstances  to  have  a 
very  important  destiny  among  tbe  American  Republics,  it  is 
necessary  for  them  to  strengthen  the  natural  union  that  must 
exist  between  them,  to  Miiich  end  the  treaty  now  ratified  un- 
doubtedly tends. 

The  particular  ^recommendation  which  Your  Excellency 
makes,  concerning  the  course  observed  by  the  Charge  d'Aftaires 
of  the  Argentine  Confederation  is  well  desserved.  The  Ar- 
gentine Government  has  not  only  approved  it  in  every  respect, 
but  rejoiced  over  the  success  justtly  anticipated  by  it,  achieved 
by  the  ability,  intelligence  and  patriotism  of  Doctor  Don  San- 
tiago Derqui. 

I  accept  with  the  greatest  pleasure  the  friendly  congratula- 
tions addressed  by  Your  Excellency  to  me  and  the  Argentine 
Confederation  for  the  restoration  of  friendly  relations  between 
both  Republics.  For  my  part  I  also  congratulate  Your  Excel- 
lency, and  in  your  name,  the  whole  Republic  over  which  you 
preside,  because  it  is  very  pleasant  to  see  two  Republics  so  power- 
ful and  sprung  from  so  illustrious  a  source  to  be  bound  together. 

I  take  this  opportunity  to  offer  to  Your  Excellency  my  high 
regard  and  affection. 

JUSTO  J.  DE  URQUIZA. 


172 


EXHIBIT    E. 

No.  3. 

LOXG    LIVE    THE   ArGEXTIXE    CONFEDERATION! 

Department  of  Foreign  Relations  of  the  Argentine  Confedera- 
tion. 

BuEXOS  Atres,  August  20,  1852. 

To  the  Secretary  of  State  ad  interim  of  the  Eepublic  of  Para- 
guay. 
Note  of  the      -pj^g  undersigned,  Minister  of  Foreign  Relations  of  the  Ar- 

Argentine  Min-  o         ^  •= 

ister    on    theg^gj-^i-jj^g  Confederation,  has  had  the  honor  to  receive  the  note  of 

treaty  of  1852.      &  ' 

Your  Excellency  of  July  22d,  where  Your  Excellency  acknowl- 
edges the  receipt  of  the  note  of  the  24th  of  April  ultimo,  rela- 
tive to  the  departure  of  the  Charge  d' Affaires  of  the  Argentine 
Confederation  in  your  Republic,  and  to  the  conclusion,  and 
ratification,  by  your  Government,  of  a  treaty  of  navigation  and 
limits  between  both  Espublics. 

His  Excellency  the  Provisional  Director  has  been  made  ac- 
quainted with  its  contents,  and  in  a  confidential  letter  he 
expressed  to  His  Excellency  the  President  of  Paraguay,  his 
sentiments  on  this  matter.  He  thinks  that  the  treaty  concluded 
is  one  of  great  importance  to^both  countries,  and  has  ratified  it 
in  the  name  of  the  Argentine  Confederation. 

The  recognition  of  the  Independence  of  the  Republic  of 
Paraguay,  is  a  fact  so  important,  that  it  will  have  a  prominent 
place  in  the  contemporary  history  of  these  Republics.  It  was 
imperatively  demanded  by  the  very  nature  of  circumstances, 
and  the  Argentine  Grovernment,  by  sanctioning  it,  has  only 
recognized  an  accomplished  fact. 

The  treaty  that  regulates'the  rights  of  both  Republics  is  cer- 
tainly one  of  the  greatest  importance,  if  considered  under  all  its 
aspects.  It  strengthens  the  ties  binding  both  Governments, 
it  affords  immense  advantages  to  commerce  and  industry,  and  in 
it  lies  the  foundation  of  the  future  happiness  of  these  countries. 

This  step  taken  by  the  Argentine  Government  is  favorably 
considered  throughout  the  whole  Argentine  Confederation,  as 
in  the  recognition  of  the  Independence  of  Paraguay  every  body 
sees  only  the  sanction  of  an  accomplished  fact. 


173 


EXHIBIT  E. 

No.  3. 

His  Excellency  the  Provisional  Director  of  the  Argentine 
.Confederation,  wishing  that  the  negotiations  be  finally  con- 
cluded, has  ordered  the  original  treaty  to  be  returned  to  the 
Charge  d'Affaires  of  the  Argentine  Confederation,  in  order  that 
the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  may  take  place. 

The  undersigned  avails  himself  with  pleasure  of  this  oppor- 
tunity to  present  to  the  Minister  his  respects  and  high  regards. 

LUIS  J.  DE  LA  PES^A. 


174 


EXHIBIT  F. 

Degree 

Decree  of  1851  establishing  a  Freuch  Colony  in  the  large  stock  farm  of  Cerro, 
o'rei'denteiinElon  the  right  bank  of  the  Paragtiaj  river,  at  six  leagues  above 
the  capital,  and  regulating  the  administration  of  tiie  Govern- 
ment of  the  colony,  and  fixing  the  terms  and  prices  at  which  the 
natives  and  foreigners  wishing  to  settle  in  this  place,  can  ac- 
quire arable  lands. 

The  Peesidext  of  the  Republic. 

The  Supreme  Government  of  the  Eepublic  wishing  to  pro- 
mote and  encourage  immigration  of  agricultural  laborers  as  a 
means  of  hastening  the  increase  of  population,  and  the  im- 
provement of  agriculture,  which  is  the  speciality  of  the  country, 
and  to  multiply  the  rich  products  of  its  climate  and  soil,  has 
caused  a  contract  to  be  executed  in  the  south  of  France  with  a 
certain  number  of  colonists  to  wdiom  some  advantageous  propo- 
sitions were  made. 

A  part  of  the  colonists  have  already  arrived,  and  the  balance 
will  soon  arrive ;  and  it  being  necessary  to  establish  the  colony 
at  a  place  whose  position,  easy  approach,  salubrity,  and  fertility  of 
tlie  soil  may  offer  advantages  to  colonists  paid  by  the  Govern- 
ment, and  at  the  same  time  induce  other  settlers,  whether 
national  or  foreign,  to  do  the  same  at  this  place. 

Has  Eesolved  axd  Decreed: 
1st  Article. — The  place   at  El  Gran  Chaco  known    by   the 
name   of   the   old  reduccion,  of  the   Paraguayan   Priest,  Don 
Amancio   Gonzales  Escobar,  is   the  one  selected    to  establish 
tnrein  the  first  foreign  colony  in  Paraguay. 

2d  Article. — The  colony  shall  be  known  as  '•  Nuevo  Burde- 
os,"  (NeAV  Bordeaux),  in  consideration  of  the  fact  that  the 
French  colony  will  sail  from  the  city  of  that  name  and  come 
from  tiiere  to  the  llepublic  of  PaiMguay. 

.3d  Article. — The  parochial  chnrcli  of  "Nuevo  Bnrdeos"  will 
be  known  as  San  Francisco  Solano. 


175 

4th  Article. — The  immigrants  lirought  here  from  Europe,  by 
the  Government,  shall  settle  at  ihe  place  designated  in  the  1st 
article,  and  after  the  fulfillment  of  the  conditions  hereinafter 
expressed,  shall  receive  in  complete  ownership  a  certain  amount 
of  land,  which  shall  be  given  only  to  persons  qualified  to  work. 

5th  Article. — Each  colonist  shall  have  a  lodging,  and  will  be 
fed  during  the  term  of  a  year,  the  eight  months  of  the  contract 
made  in  Europe  being  thus  extended. 

Gth  Article. — Each  colonist  will  also  receive  to  be  charged  to 
his  account,  the  cattle  necessary  to  cultivate  the  land  and  to 
live  upon  its  products,  such  as  oxen,  cows,  sheeps,  pigs,  poultry 
and  seeds  to  sow. 

7th  Article. — The  Government  will  furnish  to  the  colonists, 
also  to  be  charged  to  their  account  tbe  implements  for  which 
they  may  ask — such  as  axes,  spades,  adzes,  shovels,  etc. 

8th  Article. — The  colony  is  mainly  an  agricultural  one.  Each 
colonist  shall  make  the  cultivation  of  the  land  his  first  concern; 
he  can  sow,  reap  the  harvest,  and  dispose  of  it,  without  paying 
any  tax,  and  "with  complete  freedom,  with  no  other  limitation 
and  obligation  than  that  of  previously  informing  the  auditor 
what  he  sells  or  exports  from  the  colony;  and  the  said  auditor 
shall  give  him  a  certificate  as  evidence  that  he  fulfilled  this 
duty. 

9th  Article. — The  workingmen,  such  as  carriage  makers, 
carpenters,  shoemakers,  and  blacksmiths,  who  may  be  willing  to 
settle  in  the  colony,  will  also  be  allowed  to  exercise  their  in- 
dustries in  the  same  manner. 

lOtli  Article. — After  the  third  year  of  their  settlement,  each 
colonist  shall  lay  apart  the  fourth  part  of  the  salable  product 
of  his  harvest,  such  as  cotton,  honey,  indigo,  cochineal,  and  to- 
bacco, which  shall  be  appropriated  to  reimburse  the  Government 
what  it  paid  for  his  passage  from  Europe  to  the  Eepublic,  and 
the  value  of  whatever  he  had  received  in  conformity  with  preced- 
ing articles,  5th  and  6th. 

11th  Article. — During  ten  years,  to  be  counted  from  the  set- 
tlement of  the  colony,  the  product  of  its  agricultural  labors  will 
remain  free  from  all  tax,  duty,  or  burden.  The  colonists  will 
be  free  from  military  duty,  and  will  act  only  as  national  guards, 


176 

if  the  safety  of  the  colony  shjuld  occasionally  demand  it. 
After  the  said  term  of  ten  years  the  colonist  will  pay  the  taxes 
to  which  the  native  laborers  and  shepherds  are  subject. 

12th  A.rticle. — Each  colonist  sixteen  years  old  will  be  granted 
four  square  cuerclas,  measure  of  the  country,  as  a  farm  or  field 
to  be  cultivated.  This  lot  of  ground  may  be  increased  according 
to  the  age  of  the  colonist,  and  the  number  of  persons  in  his 
family.  It  will  be  the  full  and  perfect  property  of  the  colonist 
from  the  moment  he  has  fulfilled  the  terms  of  the  10th  Article; 
and  he  shall  receive  a  document  or  public  deed  as  a  title  of 
his  ownership. 

13th  Article. — The  tract  of  land  allotted  to  each  colonist  will 
be  measured,  and  will  have  its  landmarks.  At  the  town  each 
family  will  receive  in  ownership  a  ground  plot  and  a  house.  The 
single  colonist  will  receive  a  ground  plot,  on  which  he  shall 
build  a  house  as  soon  as  he  establishes  his  plantation  or  farm 
{chacar). 

14th  Article.— To  regulate  the  acounts,  a  paginated  book  will 
be  kept,  where  each  colonist,  whether  head  of  a  faniily,  or  single, 
shall  have  his  current  account. 

loth  Article. — A  register  will  also  be  kept,  where  the  name  of 
each  colonist,  his  age,  sex,  state,  condition,  and  persons  depend- 
ing upon  him,  shall  be  entered,  and  this  book  shall  be  regarded 
as  annexed  to  the  Register,  where  the  certificates  regarding  the 
birth,  state,  morals,  profession,  business,  and  vaccination  of  each 
colonist  shall  also  be  recorded. 

IGth  Article. — A  copy  of  the  plan  drawn  for  the  colony,  place 
for  a  chapel  and  for  the  lodging  of  the  chaplain  or  rector,  and 
also  for  a  public  cemetery,  outside  of  the  town,  shall  be  appended 
to  this  decree. 

17th  Article. — The  whole  land  contiguous  to  the  colony  will 
be  measured  and  divided  into  lots  for  plantations  or  farms 
{chacras).  In  the  future,  according  to  circumstances,  lands  will 
be  measured  for  farms  or  plantations. 

18th  Article. — The  plantations,  or  chacras,  will  be  rented  or 
sold  at  a  redeenrfable  quit-rent,  at  5  percent.,  to  anybody  solicit- 
ing tliem,  whether  native  or  foreigner,  with  the  obligation  to 
cultivate  them  within  a  year  from  their  acquisition. 


177 

19tli  Article. — The  })rice  of  each  lot  of  chacra,  or  plantation, 
will  be  eight  dollars  per  square  ciierda. 

20th  Article. — The  Government  being  informed  that  amongst 
the  colonists  there  fire  none  sufficiently  conversant  with  the 
Spanish  language  to  keep  a  record  of  all  judicial  proceedings, 
the  Paraguayan  citizen,  Luis  Caminos  is  appointed  to  be 
justice  of  the  peace  for  "  Nuevo  Burdeos." 

21st  Article. — The  justice  of  the  peace  appointed  for  the  col- 
ony shall  translate  into  French  the  ordinance  for  justices  of  the 
peace,  the  statutes  for  the  administration  of  justice,  and  the 
resolutions  adopted  on  this  date  upon  the  manner  of  proceeding 
in  judicial  cases — the  said  resolutions  being  only  provisional 
until  experience  makes  known  what  is  more  advantageous  for 
the  colony. 

22d  Article. — The  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  colony  has  the 
special  duty  to  organize  the  police  department  of  the  colony, 
and  is  vested  with  this  duty,  and  with  that  of  preserving 
peace,  order,  and  concord  among  the  colonists,  and  adjusting 
the  minor  disputes  and  differences  that  may  occur  between 
them. 

23d  Article. — The  same  justice  of  the  peace,  citizen  Luis 
Caminos,  is  appointed  purveyor  for  the  colony,  with  the  facul- 
ties, functions,  jurisdiction,  and  power  set  forth  in  the  ordinan- 
ces made  in  this  date  for  the  best  fulfillment  of  the  duties  of 
that  position. 

24th  Article. — The  justice  of  the  peace  and  purveyor  of  the 
colony  shall  have  a  steward  and  two  accountant  clerks. 

25th  Article. — The  justice  of  peace  and  purveyor,  and  the 
clerks  mentioned  in  the  preceding  article,  shall  be  given  lodgings 
and  board,  and  also  the  monthly  salary  determined  in  the  23d 
Article  of  the  above  named  ordinances. 

26lh  Article. — The  supreme  government  will  either  give  an 
extra  pay  to  the  curate  of  the  colony  as  soon  as  he  may  devote 
himself  to  the  teaching  of  the  youth,  or  will  appoint  some  other 
person  competent  for  this  jDurpose,  whom  it  will  pay  a  monthly 
salary,  till  the  colonists  are  able  to  attend  by  themselves  to  this 
branch  of  the  service. 

27th  Article. — The  Judge  of  first  instance  in  civil  matters, 
citizen  Nicolas  Vasquez,  shall  go  to  the  colony  to  cause  the  said 
23 


178 

citizen,  Luis  Caminos,  to  be  recognized  by  the  colonists  as  snch 
justice  of  the  peace  and  pnrveyor,  and  shall  administer  him 
the  oath  prescribed  by  tlie  law  of  the  country. 

28th  Article.— In  regard  to  tlie  savages  of  El  Chaco,  the 
same  harmony  aud  friendly  intercourse  observed  with  them  up 
to  the  present  time  shall  be  maintained.  Nevertheless,  the 
Government  of  the  Eepublic,  wishing  to  prevent  them  from  in- 
sulting the  colonists,  will  supply  the  colony  with  a  garrison,  con- 
sisting of  troops  of  the  three  different  branches  of  the  army, 
under  the  command  of  the  chief  appointed  on  this  date,  with 
suitable  orders  and  instructions,  it  being  understood  that  the 
said  forces  will  be  increased  whenever  required  for  the  safety  of 
the  colony. 

29th  Article.— The  garrison  will  be  relieved  from  duty  by  third 
parts  every  four  months.  The  officers  and  privates  who  cannot 
remain  on  duty  on  account  of  actual  sickness,  will  be  relieved 
directly.  The  commander  of  the  garrison  will  not  be  relieved 
before  a  year  is  past,  except  in  case  of  sickness  or  other  special 
circumstance. 

30th  Article. — The  pay  of  the  garrison  of  the  colony  shall 
be  the  same  as  of  the  troops  quartered  at  the  capital,  and 
payable  every  two  months  at  the  office  of  tlie  Secretary  of  AVar. 

31st  Article. — Military  men  who,  after  tiie  expiration  of  their 
term,  wish  to  settle  in  the  colony,  shall  enjoy  all  the  preceding 
concessions. 

32d  Article. — A  river  pulioe  will  be  established  for  the  present 
at  the  port  of  ''Nuevo  Burdeos,"  and  when  it  shall  be  in  con- 
dition to  begin  trade,  it  will  be  made  a  port  of  entjy,  with  a 
harbor  master  and  the  corresponding  dtputies. 

Asu:nciox,  May  14,  1855. 

CARLOS  ANTONIO  LOPEZ. 

Jose  Falcon, 

Secretary  ad  interim  for  the  Supreme  Government. 


179 


EXHIBIT    a. 

Treaty  of  Alliance. 

The  Government  of  the  RepnLlic  Oriental  del  Urngnay,  the    Treaty  of  aiu- 
Government  of  H.  M.  the  Emperor  of  Brazil,  and  the  GoYern-^^'^ll„^^^Jf^^f_ 
■  ment  of  the  Argentine  Repnblic. 

The  two  last-namt'd  Governments  being  actnally  at  war  with 
the  Government  of  Paiagnay,  since  this  Government  had  de 
facfo  declared  it,  and  the  first  being  in  a*  state  of  liostility 
against  it,  and  threatened  in  its  internal  peace  by  said  Govern- 
ment, which  violated  solemn  treaties  and  international  rules 
of  civilized  nations,  and  committed  unjustifiable  acts  after 
having  disturbed  its  relations  with  its  neighbors  by  the  most 
abusive  and  aggressive  proceedings. 

Convinced  that  the  peace,  security,  and  welfare  of  those  re- 
spective nations  is  impossible,  as  long  as  the  present  Government 
of  Pai'aguay  exists,  and  that  it  is  of  urgent  necessity,  demanded 
by  the  greatest  interests,  that  the  said  Government  should  cease, 
having  due  respect  for  the  sovereignty,  independence,  and  terri- 
torial integrity  of  the  Republic  of  Paraguay: 

Have  resolved,  to  the  said  end,  to  celebrate  a  treaty  of  offen- 
sive and  defensive  alliance;  and  to  this  effect  they  have  ap- 
pointed their  Plenipotentiaries,  viz. — His  Excellency  the  Provi- 
sional Governor  of  the  Oriental  Republic  to  His  Excellency 
Doctor  Don  Carlos  Castro,  Minister  of  Foreign  Relations  ;  H.  M. 
the  Emperor  of  Brazil,  to  His  Excellency  Duetor  Don  Octaviano 
Almeida  Rosa,  his  Councillor-Deputy  to  the  National  Legisla- 
tive Assembly,  and  Officer  to  the  Imperial  Order  of  La  Rosa; 
His  Excellency  the  President  of  the  Argentine  Republic  ;  His 
Excellency  Doctor  Don  Rufino  de  Elizalde,  Minister  Secretary 
of  Foreign  Relations.  And,  having  exchanged  their  respective 
credentials,  and  finding  them  correct  and  in  due  form,  they 
agree  on  the  following: 


180 

Article  I. 

The  Republic  Oriental  del  Uruguay,  H.  Majesty  the  Emperor 
of  Brazil,  and  the  Argentine  Republic,  arc  united  in  an  offen- 
sive and  defensive  alliance  in  the  war  provoked  by  the  Govern- 
ment of  Paraguay. 

Article  IL 
The   allies    will    concur,  with  all  the    means  at   their   dis- 
posal, by  land  or  water,  as  they  may  deem  advisable. 

Article   III. 

The  war  OY)erations,  commencing  at  the  territory  of  the  Ar- 
gentine Republic,  or  at  a  part  of  the  Paraguayan  territory  bor- 
dering upon  the  sai*d  Republic,  the  command  in  chief  and  the 
direction  of  the  allied  armies  shall  be  intrusted  to  the  President 
of  the  Argentine  Republic,  General-in-Chief  of  its  army,  Bri- 
gadier-General Don  Bartolome  Mitre. 

The  maritime  forces  of  the  allies  shall  be  under  the  imme- 
diate command  of  the  Vice- Admiral  Viscount  of  Taraandare, 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  navy  of  H.  M.  the  Emperor  of 
Brazil. 

The  land  foi'ces  of  the  Repul)lic  Oriental  del  Uruguay,  a  part 
of  the  Argentine  forces,  and  another  part  vf  the  Brazilian  forces, 
which  shall  be  designated  by  their  respective  superior  ofificers, 
will  form  an  army  under  the  immediate  command  of  the  Pro- 
visional Governor  of  the  Republic  Oriental  del  Uruguay,  Briga- 
dier-General Don  Venancio  Flores. 

The  land  forces  of  H.  M.  the  Emperor  of  Brazil  will  form  an 
army  under  the  immediate  command  of  its  General-in-Chief, 
Brigadier  Don  Manuel  Louis  Ozorio. 

Notwithstanding  that  the  high  contracting  parties  agree 
not  to  change  the  theatre  of  the  war  operations,  neverthe- 
less, and  with  a  view  to  respecting  the  sovereign  rights  of  the 
three  nations,  they  agree,  from  the  present,  to  observe  the  prin- 
ciple of  reciprocity  in  regard  to  the  commanding  in  chief  in 
case  the  said  operations  should  be  carried  into  the  Oriental  or 
Brazilian  territory. 


181 

Article  IV. 
The   internal   economy  and   the   arrangement  of  the  allied 
troops  are  under  the  exclusive  care  of  their  respective  chiefs. 

Article  V. 
The  high  contracting  parties  will  mutually  contribute  all  the 
aids  and  means  they  possess  and  which  may  be  wanting  by  the 
others  in  such  manner  as  they  may  agree  upon. 

Article  VI. 
The  allies  solemnly  bind  themselves  not  to  lay  down  arms 
unless  by  common  consent,  until  the  existing  Government  of 
Paraguay  be  overthrown,  and  also,  not  to  treat  separately,  or  to 
sign  any  treaty  of  peace,  truce,  armistice  or  any  convention 
putting  an  end  or  suspending  the  war,  unless  by  the  complete 
conformity  of  all. 

Article  VII. 
The  war  not  being  against  the  people  of  Paraguay,  but 
against  the  Grovernment,  the  allies  can  admit  into  a  Paraguayan 
legion  every  citizen  of  the  said  nation  wishing  to  assist  in  the 
overthrow  of  the  said  Government,  and  will  furnish  them  with 
the  means  they  reqnire  in  the  form  and  under  the  conditions 
to  which  they  shall  agree. 

Article  VIII. 

The  allies  bind  themselves  to  respect  the  independence,  sov- 
ereignty and  territorial  integrity  of  the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay, 
and  therefore  the  people  of  Paraguay  shall  have  the  power  to 
elect  the  Government  and  institutions  which  may  suit  them, 
without  annexing  itself  or  asking  for  the  protectorate  of  any  of 
the  allies,  as  a  result  from  the  Avar. 

Article  IX. 
The   independence,  sovereignty  and   territorial   integrity  of 
the  Eepublic  of  Paraguay  will  be  guaranteed  collectively,  in 
conformity  with   the  foregoing  article,  by  the  high  contraeting 
parties,  for  the  term  of  five  years. 


182- 

Article  X. 

It  is  agreed  between  the  high  contracting  parties  that  the 
exemptions,  privileges  or  concessions  obtained  from  the  Gov- 
ernment of  Paraguay,  shall  be  common  to  all  of  them  gratui- 
tously, if  they  are  gratuitous,  and  with  the  same  compensation, 
should  they  be  conditional. 

Article  XI. 

After  the  overthrow  of  the  existing  Government  of  Paraguay, 
the  allies  will  proceed  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  with 
the  constituted  authorities  to  secure  the  free  navigation  of  the 
Parana  and  Paraguay  rivers,  in  order  that  the  rules  or  laws  of 
that  Republic  should  not  be  an  obstacle  or  prevent  or  burden 
the  transit  and  direct  navigation  of  the  merchant  ships  and 
men-of-war  6f  the  allied  States  proceeding  to  their  respective 
territory  or  to  a  territory  not  belonging  to  Paraguay,  and  will 
take  the  necessary  guarantees  to  render  effective  the  said  ar- 
rangements upon  the  basis  that  these  arrangements  of  fluvial 
policy,  whether  they  be  intended  for  the  two  said  rivers,  or  only 
for  the  Uruguay  river,  will  be  dictated  by  common  consent  be- 
tween the  allies  and  any  other  boi'dering  State  that,  within  the 
term  agreed  upon  by  the  allies,  shall  accept  the  invitation  made 
to  this  end. 

Article  XII. 
The  allies   reserve   tlie   right   to  concert  upon  the  most  con- 
venient means  to  guarantee  peace  with  the  Eepublic  of  Para- 
guay after  the  overthrow  of  its  existing  Government. 

Article  XIII. 
The  allies  will  appoint  in  due  time  Plenipotentiaries  who  will 
celebrate   the   arrangements,  conventions   or  treaties  with  the 
Government  which  may  be  established  in  Paraguay. 

Article  XIV, 

The  allies  will  exact  troin  the  said  Government  the  payment 

of  the  expenses  of  the  war  which  they  are  compelled  to  accept, 

and   also   compensation    and    indemnitication  tor  damages  and 

detriments  to  public  and  private  property,  and  on  the  persons 


183 

of  their  citizMis,  witliont  ;iu  express  declaration  of  war,  and 
also  by  the  damages  and  detriments  suffered  snbsequently  by 
violation  of  the  principles  governing  the  laws  of  war. 

The  Republic  Oriental  of  Uruguay  will  exact,  also,  an  in- 
demnification proportioned  to  the  damages  and  detriments 
caused  by  the  Government  of  Paraguay  by  reason  of  the  war 
which  it  has  been  compelled  to  accept  in  defence  of  its  safety, 
menaced  by  the  said  Government, 

Article  XV. 
The  ways  and  means  to  liquidate  and  pay  the  debt  proceeding 
from  the  aforesaid  causes  shall  be  determined  by  a  special  con- 
vention. 

Article  XVI. 

With  a  view  to  prevent  discussions  and  wars  upon  the  ques- 
tions of  limits,  it  is  stipulated  that  the  Alliance  will  exact  from 
the  Government  of  Paraguay  final  treaties  of  limits  with  the 
respective  Governments,  upon  the  following  bases  : 

The  Argentine  Eepublic  will  be  divided  from  tlie  Eepublic  of 
Paraguay  by  the  Parana  and  Paraguay  rivers,  until  reaching  the 
limits  of  the  Empire  of  Brazil,  these  being,  on  the  right  bank 
of  the  Paraguay  river,  the  Bahia  Negra. 

The  Empire  of  Brazil  will  be  divided  from  the  Republic  of 
Paraguay,  on  the  side  of  the  Parana,  by  the  first  river  after  the 
fall  of  the  Seven  Falls;  that,  according  to  the  recent  map  by 
Mouehez,  is  the  lijurey,  and  from  the  mouth  of  the  Igurey  and 
its  upper  course  till  it  reaches  its  source. 

On  the  side  of  the  left  bank  of  the  Paraguay,  by  the  Apa  river, 
from  its  mouth  to  its  source. 

In  the  interior,  from  the  summit  of  the  Sierra  de  Maracayii, 
the  eastern  declivities  shall  belong  to  Brazil,  and  the  western  to 
Paraguay,  and  drawing  lines  as  straight  as  possible  from  the 
said  land  to  the  lit  ad  of  the  Apa  and  the  Igurey. 

Article  XVII. 
The  allies  mutually  guarantee  to  each  other  the  faithful  ful- 
filment of  the  agreements,  arrangements  and  treaties  that  may 


184 

be  celebrated  with  the  Government  which  may  be  established  in 
Paraguay,  by  virtue  of  what  has  been  agreed  upon  in  the  present 
treaty  of  Alliance,  which  will  always  remain  in  force  to  the  end 
that  the  present  stipulations  may  be  respected  and  fulfilled  by 
the  Republic  of  Paraguay. 

With  a  view  to  obtaining  this  result,  they  agree  that  in  case 
one  of  the  high  contracting  parties  should  be  unable  to  obtain 
from  the  Government  of  Paraguay  the  fulfilment  of  that  which 
has  been  accorded,  or  that  that  Government  slionld  endeavor  to 
annul  the  stipulations  adjusted  with  the  allies,  the  others  shall 
employ  their  efforts  to  have  them  respected. 

Should  these  efforts  be  unsuccessful,  the  allies  will  concur 
with  all  their  means  to  bring  about  the  fulfilment  of  that  which 
has  been  stipulated. 

Article  XVIII. 

This  treaty  shall  remain  secret  until  the  main  object  of  the 
alliance  is  obtained. 

Article  XIX. 
The  stipulations  of  this  treaty,   requiring  no  legislative  au- 
thorization for  their  ratification,  will  have  efiect  as  soon  as  they 
are  approved  by  the  respective  Governments,  and  the  other  ones 
which  require  such  ratification,  from  the  exchange  of  the  ratifi- 
cations which  shall  be  made  within  the  term  of  forty  days  to  be 
counted  from  the  date  of  the  said  treaty,  or  before  if  it  is  possible. 
In  witness  whereof  we,  the  undersigned  Plenipoten- 
tiaries of  His  Excellency,  the  President  of  the  Ar- 
gentine Eepublic,  of  His  Majesty,  the  Emperor  of 
Brazil,  and  of  His  Excellency  the  Provisional  Gov- 
ernor of  the  Republic  Oriental  of  Uruguay,  in  virtue 
of  our  full  powers,  sign  this  treaty,  and  seal  it  with 
our  seals  at  the  city  of  Buenos  Ayres,  on  the  first 
day  of  May,  of  the  year  of  our  Lord  1865. 
Carlos  de  Castro, 

T.  OCTAVIANO  DE  AlMEIDA  RoSA, 
RUFINO  DE  EliZALDE. 


185 


PEOTOCOL. 


Their  Excellencies,  the  Plenipotentiaries  of  the  Argentine 
Eepublic,  of  the  Eepublic  Oriental  of  Uruguay,  and  of  His  Ma- 
jesty, the  Emperor  of  Brazil,  being  assembled  at  the  Depart- 
ment of  Foreign  Eelatious,  have  agreed : 

1st.  That  in  the  fulfilment  of  the  Treaty  of  Alliance  of  this 
date,  the  fortifications  of  Humaita  shall  be  demolished,  and  it 
shall  not  be  permitted  to  erect  new  ones  of  the  same  nature, 
which  could  prevent  the  faithful  fulfilment  of  the  said  treaty. 

3d.  It  being  one  of  the  necessary  measures  to  guarantee  peace 
with  the  Government  which  may  be  established  in  Paraguay,  not 
to  permit  arms  or  elements  of  war  at  that  place;  those  found 
there  shall  be  divided  equally  among  the  allies. 

3d.  That  the  trophies  and  booty  taken  from  the  enemy  shall 
be  divided  among  the  allies  which  capture  them. 

4th.  That  the  commanders  of  the  allied  armies  shall  agree 
upon  the  measures  to  carry  out  what  is  here  stipulated. 

And  they  signed  this  protocol  at  Buenos  Ayres  on  the  1st  of 
May,  of  1865. 

Carlos  de  Castro, 

T.  OCTAVIANO  DE  AlMEIDA  EoSA, 
EUFINO  DE  ElIZALDE. 


APENDICE 


DOCUMESTOS  AHEXOS 


A  LA 


M  E  M  O  E I A 


Presentada  por  el 


MIlNlSTRO  DEL  PARAGUAY, 


EN  LA  CUESTION   SOMETIDA 
A  AKBITRAMENTO, 


ape:^dice. 


APENDICE. 


JDOCUMENTOS   OFICIJlLJES 

SOBEE  OUESTIOKES  DE  LIMITES 

ENTRE   LA 

REPDBLICA  DEL  PARA&UAY  Y  LA  ARGENTINA. 

1873. 


Asuncion,  Setiembre  2  de  1873. 
Senor  Ministro : 

El  infrascrito  tiene  el  honor  de  acusar  recibo  de  la  nota  de  S. 
E.  el  Senor  General  Mitre,  Enviado  Extraordinario  y  Ministro 
Plenipotenciario  de  la  Republica  Argentina,  fecha  Side  Agosto 
proximo  pasado,  declarando  que,  con  autorizacion  de  su  Gobier- 
no,  ha  resuelto  trasladarse  a  Buenos  Aii-es  a  fin  de  dar  cuenta 
del  estado  de  la  negociacion,  quedando  ella  mientras  tanto  ami- 
gableraente  suspendida  en  los  terminos  de  la  conclusion  del 
Memorandum  que  V.  E.  ha  adjuntado  a  dicha  nota. 

El  Gobierno  Paraguayo,  Senor  Ministro,  contestara  en  debido 
tiempo  a  ese  extenso  Memorandum  para  rectificar  la  parte  his- 
torica  y  la  apreciacion  de  los  hechos  y  de  los  documentos  a  que 
se  refiere  ;  pero  desde  ya,  por  ese  mismo  Memorandum,  se  ve  : 

1° — Que  el  Gobierno  Paraguayo,  fiel  d  sus  compromisos,  se 
dispuso  a  celebrar  con  el  Seiior  Plenipotenciario  Argentino  un 
tratado  de  limites  segun  las  bases  mencionadas  en  el  articulo  16 
del  tratado  de  la  Triple  Alianza,  usando  a  penas  del  derecho  es- 
preso  en  el  Protocolo  de  20  de  Junio,  de  proponer  en  el  interes 
de  la  Republica  modificaciones  a  aquel   tratado,   y  confiando  a 


192 

mas  de  eso  en  las  declaraciones  solemues  hechas  ])ov  el  Gobierno 
Argentino  al  del  Paraguay  en  la  nota  del  27  de  Dicierabre  de 
1869:  "que  la  victoria  no  da  a  las  Naciones  Aliadas  derecho  de 
declarar  por  si  limites  suyos  aquellos  que  el  Tratado  de  Aliaijza 
senale." 

2" — Que  el  Gobierno  Paraguayo  animado  sinceramente  del 
deseo  de  concluir  con  brevedad  ese  tratado  de  liraites,  convino 
con  la  proposicion  del  Seiior  Plenipotenciario  Argentino  que  las 
negociaciones  se  hiciesen  amigablemente,  sin  exhibicion  y  exa- 
men  de  titulos,  que  no  faltan  al  Paraguay  para  demostrar  su 
legitimo  e  incontestable  derecho  al  territorio  exigido  por  la 
Republica  Argentina;  y  por  eso,  tales  titulos  no  fueron  preseu- 
tados. 

3" — Que  el  Paraguay  reconociendose  vencido  y  sin  f  uerza  para 
resistir  a  la  Republica  Argentina  se  mostru  dispuesto  a  ceder  el 
territorio  de  Misiones,  la  isla  del  Atajo  6  Cerrito  no  mencionado 
en  el  Tratado  de  Alianza,  y  tinalmente  parte  del  Chaco  desde  el 
Bermejo  hasta  el  Pilcomayo,  contra  su  parecer  de  que  la  cuestion 
del  Chaco  no  se  podia  tratar  sin  el  coucurso  de  Bolivia,  cuyos 
derechos  a  aquel  territorio  fueron  salvados  por  los  Aliados. 

4" — Que  no  se  celebro  el  tratado  de  limites  de  ese  modo  por 
las  exigencias  de  la  Republica  Argentina  de  querer  permanecer 
en  la  Villa  Occidental,  lo  que  sera  la  ruina  del  JParaguay,  que- 
dando  el  territorio  que  se  estiende  del  Pilcomayo  a  la  Bahia 
Xegra  sujeto  a  un  arbitrage. 

Xo  jiudiendo,  pues,  la  Republica  ceder  mas  de  lo  que  ha 
cedido,  ni  vohmtariamente  derrvtar  por  lui  Tratado  su  propia, 
ruina,  y  declarando  S.  E.  el  Sr.  General  Mitre  suspendidas 
las  negociaciones  sin  tiempo  liinitado,  para  ii'aconsultar  con  su 
Gobierno,  el  infrascrito  ha  recilndo  orden  del  Cindadano  Vice- 
Presidente  de  la  Reptiblica  en  ejercicio  del  PoderEjecutivo  para 
declarar  al  Sefior  Ministro  que  el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  espera 
una  contestacion  por  parte  del  Gobierno  Argentino  hasta  el  dia 
30  de  Noviembre  venidero  para  la  prosecucion  de  los  tratados 
hoy  suspendidos  amigablemente,  y  fenecido  ese  termino  se  con- 


193 

sideraran  sin  efecto  y  de  ningun  valor  las  concesiones  a  que  el 
Paraguay  vencido  se  resignaba  no por  reconocer  derecho  alguno 
d  la  Mejmbllca  Argentina  al  territorio  que  ella  exige^  sino  tan 
solamente  por  la  fuerza  de  las  circunstancias  y  por  el  hitinio 
deseo  de  vivir  en  paz  y  huena  arnionia  con  una  vecina  He- 
publica. 

El  infrascrito  aprovecha  la  ocasion  para  retribuir  a  S.  E.  el 
Senor  General  Mitre  su  gratitud  por  las  consideraciones  que  le 
ha  demostrado  y  al  raismo  tiempo  saludarlo  con  la  mas  distin- 
guida  y  perfecta  estima. 

JOSE   DEL  ROSARIO  MIRANDA, 

A.  S.  E.  el  Senor  Brigadier  General  Don  Bartolotne  Mitre, 
Enviado  Extraordinario  Ministro  Plenipotenciario  de  la 

Repiiblica  Argentina. 


MixisTERio  DE  Relacioxes  Esterioees 

DE  LA   RePUBLICA  ARGENTINA, 

Buenos  Aires,  Octubre  16  de  1873. 

Senor  Ministro  :  Ha  sido  puesto  por  el  negociador  Argen- 
tine en  manos  del  Presidente  de  la  Republica  la  nota  de  V.  E. 
del  2  de  Setienibre  proximo  pasado,  ofreciendo  un  contra-me- 
morandum  y  espresando  que  el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  esperaria 
una  contestaeion  hasta  el  dia  30  de  Novierabre  venidero  para  la 
prosecueion  de  los  tratados  suspendidos  amigablemente  o  para 
considerar,  fenecido  ese  termino,  sin  efecto  y  de  ningun  valor 
las  concesiones  a  que  el  Paraguay  vencido  se  resignaba. 

Sin  haber  recibido  todavia  ese  centra-memorandum,  ni  tener 
seguridad  de  recibirlo  en  tierapo  oportuno,  el  Sr.  Presidente  ha 
creido  de  su  deber  estudiar  el  asunto  con  la  madui*ez  que 
requeria  su  importancia,  y  despues  de  oir  las  esplicaciones  ver- 
bales  del  Negociador  Argentine,  y  las  que  en  espiritu  araistoso 
ha  querido  agregar  el  Plenipotenciario  Brasilero,  Baron  de  Ara- 
guaya, ha  resuelto  hacer  saber  por  conducte  de  S.  E.  a  ese  Go- 
bierno que  el  Argentine  no  esta  dispuesto  a  canibiar  sus  ante- 
rieres  proposiciones,  comunicande  lo   mismo  al  Gobierno  Impe- 


194 

rial  cou  esta  fecha,  a  fin  de  i^roceder  a  la  desociipacion  defini- 
tiva  del  Paraguay,  segun  lo  previsto  por  el  articulo  6°  del 
acuerdo  de  19  de  Noviembre  en  su  segimda  parte. 

EI  Gobierno  Argentino  habia  creido,  Senor  Ministro,  que  con 
cualquiera  de  las  dos  soluciones  ofrecidas  por  su  parte,  liabia 
dado  niuestra  inequivoca  de  moderacion,  conciliando  con  lo  del 
arbitrage  especialmente  los  derechos  y  el  honor  reciprocos. 
Desechadas  ellas  por  ese  Gobierno,  quedale  solo  el  deber  de  con- 
servar  y  hacer  respetar  los  hechos  existentes;  y,  aunqueno  se  le 
ocultan  los  inconvenientes  de  semejante  situacion,  espera  poder 
superarlos  con  su  prudencia  y  jiatriotisnio. 

Con  las  seguridades  de  mi  particular  distincion, 

soy  de  V.  E, 
atento  servidor, 
C.  TEJEDOR. 

A.  /S.  JE.  el  Sefioj' Ministro  de  Melaciones   JEsteriores  de  la  Ke- 
puhlica  del  Paraguay. 


Departmexto 
DE  Relaciones  Esteriores 


Asuncion,  Octubre  30  de  1873. 


Contestese  lo  acordado  y  remitase  el  contra-memorandum. 
JOVELLANOS, 
JOSE  DEL  ROSARIO  MIRANDA. 


MiNISTERIO  ) 

DE  Relaciones  Esteriores.  \ 

Asuncion,  Noviembre  V  de  18V3. 

Seho  r  Ministro  : 

El  infrascrito  Ministro  de  Relaciones  Esteriores,  ha  reci- 
bido  el  dia  27  del  mes  de  Octubre  ppdo.  la  nota  que  V.  E. 
le  ha  dirijido  con  fecha  16  del   niismo  mes,  coniunicando  que 


195 

ha  sido  puesta  por  el  Negociador  Argentine  en  manos  del 
Exmo.  Seiior  Presidente  de  esa  Republica  la  nota  de  2  de  Setiera- 
brc  de  este  Ministerio,  ofreciendo  un  contra-nieniorandum, 
espresando  que  el  Gobierno  de  esta  Repliblica  esperaria  una 
contestacion  hasta  el  dia  30  de  Novierabre  venidero  para  la  pro- 
secucion  de  los  tratados  suspendidos  amigableraente,  6  para 
considerar,  fenecido  ese  termino,  sin  efecto  y  de  ningun  valor, 
las  concesiones  :i  que  el  Paraguay  vencido  se  resignaba  : 
que  sin  haber  recibido  todavia  ese  contra-memorandum  ni 
tener  seguridad  de  recibirlo  en  tiempo  oportuno,  el  Senor 
Presidente  ha  creido  de  su  deber  estudiar  el  asunto,  y  que,  des- 
pues  de  oir  las  esplicaciones  del  Negociador  Argentine  y  del 
Plenipotenciario  Brasilero  Baron  de  Araguaya,  ha  resuelto 
hacer  saber,  por  el  conducto  del  infrascrito,  al  Gobierno  de  esta 
Republica,  que  no  esta  dispuesto  a  cambiar  sus  anteriores  dis- 
posiciones. 

Lo  que  habiendo  llevado  al  conocimiento  del  Gobierno  he 
recibido  encargo  para  espresar  a  V.  E.  pidiendo  se  sirva  poner 
tambien  al  conocimiento  del  Gobierno  Argentine,  que  el  del 
Paraguay  siente  sobi  e  manera  la  no  realizacion  de  los  tratados, 
en  vista  de  la  discordancia  en  que  se  encuentran  sobre  la  propo- 
sicion  en  el  arreglo  de  limites. 

El  contra-memorandum  que  el  Gobierno  ha  ofrecido  enviar 
con  oportunidad,  tengo  la  honra  de  anunciar  a  V.  E,  que  en  esta 
ocasion  se  ha  remitido  al  Seiior  Consul  del  Paraguay  en  esa 
Capital  para  ponerlo  en  manos  de  V.  E. 

Con  tal  motive,  apreveche  la  ocasion  para  reiterar  al  Seiior 
Ministro  las  seguridades  de  mimasalta  censideracion  y  perfecta 
estima. 

JOSi:  DEL  ROSARIO  MIRANDA. 

A.  S.  E.  el  Sefior  Don  Carlos  Tejedor,  Ministro  de  Rela- 

ciones  Esteriores  de  la  Republica  Argentina. 


196 

COJ^TRA  MEMORAMBTIM. 

Sohre  cuestiones  de  limites  entre  la  Repuhlica 
del  Paraguay  y  la  Argentina. 

ANTECEDENTES. 

Es  necesario  tener  presente  que  el  tratado  de  Alianza  de  1°  de 
Mayo  de  1865,  en  su  fondo,  como  consta  en  el  articnlo  1°,  la 
guerra  no  fue  contra  el  Pueblo  del  Paraguay,  sino  contra  su 
Gobierno  en  aquella  epoca,  es  decir,  contra  el  Mariscal  Lopez, 

Por  una  consecuencia  logica  de  lo  dispuesto  en  el  articulo 
citado,  en  los  siguientes  8°  y  9°  los  Aliados  se  obligaron  a  res- 
petar  la  independencia,  soberania  e  integridad  territorial  de  la 
Repiiblica  del  Paraguay  y  garantirlas  colectivamente. 

Previas  las  estipulaciones  espresadas  en  el  articulo  11°  se  es- 
tablecio,  que,  derrocado  el  Gobierno  de  entonces  (el  Mariscal 
Lopez)  los  Aliados  procederian  a  hacer  sus  arreglos  con  la 
autoridad  constituida. 

Con  el  objeto  de  evitar  nuevas  guerras  que  las  cuestiones  de 
limites  puedan  envolver,  se  consigno  en  el  articulo  16°,  que  los 
mismos  Aliados  exigiran  al  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  la  celebra- 
cion  de  tradados  de  limites  bajo  las  bases  que  en  dicho  articulo 
16'^  se  demarcan. 

En  el  afio  1869,  por  la  circunstancia  de  que  el  Mariscal  Lopez 
ya  no  dominaba  mas  que  una  parte  de  la  Republica,  varios  Ciu- 
dadanos  paraguayos  pronunciados  contra  el  poder  tiranico 
del  mismo  Lopez,  firmaron  en  la  Asuncion  ima  acta  solicitando 
de  los  Aliados  el  establecimiento  de  un  Gobierno  provisorio 
para  la  Republica. 

Los  Aliados  en  2  de  Junio  del  mismo  auo  1869,  convinieron 
y  concedieron  a  la  solicitu.d  de  la  comision  paraguaya,  y  por 
medio  de  una  nota  colectiva  comunicaron  a  los  Comisarios  Pa- 
raguayos (leclarando  solemnemente  concedido  y  aceptado  el  es- 
tablecimiento de  un  Gobierno  Provisorio. 

El  15  de  Agosto  del  mismo  auo  se  instalo  el  Gobierno 
Provisorio  habieudo  sido  sus  Miembros  elegidos  por  el  Pueblo. 


197 

Este  Gobierno  Provisorio  taiito  por  nota  cuanto  por  Decreto 
de  19  del  mismo  mes  de  Agosto,  ratifico  las  bases  del  protocolo 
del  2  de  Junio. 

Consiguientemente,  por  la  muerte  del  Mariscal  Lopez,  la  guer- 
rase  termino  y  en  consecuencia  no  habiendo  sido  ella  contra  el 
pueblo  Paraguayo,  era  natural  tener  modificaciones  el  tratado 
de  la  Triple  Alianza  para  que  asi  f  uese  verdadera  la  declaracion 
de  tres  Gobiernos  cultos  y  civilizados,  que  no  tuvieron  otro 
movil  para  tomar  las  armas  que  el  de  combatir  un  Gobierno 
tii'ano. 

En  20  de  Junio  de  1870  se  firmo  el  Tratado  preliminar  de 
paz  entre  el  Gobierno  Provisorio  dela  Republica  y  los  Aliados  ; 
en  cuyo  Acuerdo  en  el  articulo  2"  se  estipulo  lo  siguiente  :  "El 
"  Gobierno  Provisorio  de  la  Republica  del  Paraguay  ratifica 
"una  vez  mas  las  declaraciones  que  hizo  en  el  Protocolo  de  2 
"  de  Junio  del  aiio  proximo  pasado,  y  por  consiguiente  aceptaen 
"  el  fondo  el  Tratado  de  la  Triple  Alianza  celebrado  en  Buenos 
"Aires  el  1°  de  Mayo  de  1865,  reservandose  para  los  arreglos 
"  definitivos  con  el  Gobierno  permanente  las  modificaciones  de 
"  este  mismo  Tratado  que  pueda  proponer  el  Gobierno  Paragua- 
"  yo,  en  el  interes  de  la  Republica." 

En  virtud  de  lo  acordado  en  el  articulo  2"  inserto,  se  reservo 
al  Paraguay  no  solo  el  derecho  de  ser  oido,  sino  tambien  el  de 
proponer  modificaciones  ;  y  en  los  protocolos  se  espresa  que  la 
reserva  de  las  modificaciones  seria  referente  a  la  cuestion  de 
limites  sobre  el  Chaco,  de  manera  que  los  Aliados  renunciai-on 
especialmente  el  articulo  16"  del  Tratado,  es  decir,  ya  no  po- 
drian  exigir  al  Paraguay  la  aceptacion  de  los  limites  sefialados  en 
dicbo  articulo,  y,  con  esta  previa  salvedad,  el  Gobierno  Provi- 
sorio acepto  en  el  fondo  el  Tratado  de  1'*  de  Mayo  de  1865. 

Aunque  el  Gobierno  Provisorio  se  haya  limitado  a  pedir  la 
salvedad  tan  solamente  en  la  parte  del  Chaco  con  motivo  de  la 
ocupacion  de  la  Villa  Occidental  por  f  uerzas  Argentinas,  el  Senor 
Plenipotenciario  de  la  Republica  Argentina  amplio  el  derecho  al 
Paraguay,  declarando  "que  el  Gobierno  Argentino  no  queria 
"  usar  del  derecho  de  vencedor  para  resolver  la  cuestion  de  li- 
"  mites,  sino  dirimirla  por  un  acuerdo  amigable  en  vista  de  los 
"titulos  de  una  y  otra  parte." 


198 

Esta  solemne  declaracion  fae  aceptada  por  los  demas  Ministros 
de  la  Alianza,  y,  firmado  el  Tratado  Preliminar  de  20  de  Junio 
en  los  terminos  ya  citados,  no  podia  la  Alianza  poner  fnera  de 
cuestion  todo  lo  que  f  uese  relativo  a  limites. 

En  Octubre  de  1871  se  inicio  la  negoeiacion  simultanea  de  los 
Representantes  de  los  Aliados  ante  el  Gobierno  constituidode  la 
Republica. 

Antes  de  empezar  las  negociaciones  con  el  Gobierno  Para- 
guayo  el  Senor  Plenipotenciario  Argentino  se  retiro,  habiendo 
pedido  la  suspension  de  los  Tratados  sin  espresar  razon  ni  motivo 
para  ello. 

Por  notas  que  despues  fuerou  cambiadas  eutre  el  Gobierno 
Argentino  y  el  del  Imperio  del  Brasil  se  concibe  que,  el  Seiior 
Plenipotenciario  Argentino  habia  pretendido  indebidamente 
imponer  colectivamente  con  los  otros  Representanes  de  la  Alianza 
para  que  el  Paraguas^  se  sometiese  alo  dipuesto  en  el  articulo  16 
del  tratado  de  1"  de  Mayo  de  1865,  lo  que  tanto  el  SeiiorPleni- 
potenciario  del  Brazil  cuanto  el  Oriental,  como  era  natural,  no 
quisieron  asentir  para  imponer  al  Paraguay  una  exigencia  que 
la  misma  Alianza  ha  prescindido  de  ella  de  una  manera  solemne. 

Despues  que  el  Senor  Plenipotenciario  Argentino  se  retiro  a 
Buenos  Aires,  el  del  Brasil  celebro  con  la  Republica  del  Para- 
guay los  tratados  definitivos  de  paz  sin  que  en  el  curso  de  las 
negociaciones  haya  babido  la  menor  idea  de  poner  fuera  de 
cuestion  todo  lo  que  fuera  relativo  a  limites  ;  de  manera  que, 
previas  las  conferencias  confidenciales,  se  resolvio  todo  amisto- 
samente,  habiendo  sido  oido  el  Paraguay  en  todo  lo  que  en 
materia  de  limites  proponia,  asi   como  sobre  otros  puntos. 

El  Gobierno  de  la  Rej)ublica,  animado  de  los  mejores  deseos, 
determino  en  Agosto  de  1872,  acreditar  una  mision  especial 
cerca  del  Gobierno  Argentino  con  elobjeto  de  celebrar  Tratados 
definitivos  de  paz. 

La  mision  no  tuvo  ningun  exito,  por  que  el  Gobierno  Argen- 
tino ni  la  quiso  oir,  y  segun  la  Meraoria  del  Seiior  Ministro  de 
Relaciones  Elsteriores  de  1873,  era  por  que  las  instrucciones  del 
Plenipotenciario  Paraguayo  ban  sido  exorbitantes. 

Tal  escusa  es  bien  estrana,  por  que  toda  negociacion  diplo- 
matica  por  exorbitantes  que  fueren  las  pretensiones  de  las  Altas 


199 

Partes  Contratantes,  precisamente  con  la  discusion  todo  se 
arregla  y  se  modifica. 

Despues  el  Gobierno  Argentiiio  acredito  cerca  del  Paraguay 
una  nueva  mision  especial  para  los  tratados  definitivos  de  paz, 
siendo  ella  conferida  al  Exmo.  Sefior  General  Don  Bartolorae 
Mitre,  quien  al  presentarse  en  tal  caracter  ante  el  Gobierno  de 
la  Republica  espreso  los  sentiraientios  de  fraternidad  y  el  deseo 
de  cumplir  los  compromisos  para  con  los  Aiiados  y  el  Paraguay; 
regularizar  la  situacion  y  afianzar  una  paz  en  el  presente  y  en 
el  futuro. 

El  Gobierno  Paraguayo  le  contesto  que  el  se  encontraba  con 
los  raismos  deseos  y  que  contribuiria  eficazmente  para  la  reali- 
zacion  de  los  Tratados. 

Tambien  el  Gobierno  del  Brasil  acredito  otra  mision  especial 
cerca  del  Paraguay,  que  la  desempeiia  el  Exmo.  Seiior  Baron 
de  Araguaya,  para  prestar  su  concurso  conforme  a  lo  estipulado 
en  el  Acuerdo  de  19  de  Koviembre  en  Rio  Janeiro  entre  el 
Brasil  y  la   Repiiblica  Argentina. 

El  Ilustre  Diplomatico  Brasilero  consiguientemente  desem- 
pefio  su  mision  del  modo  mas  cumplido. 


NoTA.  Aqui  el  Negociador  por  parte  del  Paraguay  se  ocupa 
de  los  incidentes  de  la  negociacion  para  los  arreglos  definitivos 
entre  ambas  Repfiblicas,  hasta  la  suspension  amistosa  de  las 
gestiones  que  acordaron  a  pedido  del  Plenipotenciario  Argen- 
tine, quien  se  retiro  para  ir  a  dar  cuenta  personalmente  a  su 
Gobierno  de  las  referidas  negociaciones,  dejando  un  3Iemora7i- 
dum  en  el  que  relacionaba  todos  sus  incidentes  y  consignaba  al 
mismo  tiempo  los  dereclios  qiie  decia  tener  la  Republica  Argen- 
tina a  los  territorios  disputados  al  Paraguay.  El  Plenipotencia- 
rio Paraguayo  en  seguida  entra  a  tratar  sucesivamente  los 
titulos  en  que  apoya  los  dereclios  del  Paraguay  a  los  territorios 
en  litisrio. 


200 
CUESTION  DE  MISIONES. 

La  cuestion  que  versa  sobre  el  territorio  de  Misiones  entre  la 
Republica  del  Paraguay  y  la  Argentina,  es,  a  todas  luces,  que 
el  Paraguay  se  encuentra  con  el  raejor  derecho. 

La  vinica  base  que  pudiera  haberle  servido  de  fundamento  a 
la  Republica  Argentina  para  apoyar  sus  derechos  sobre  Misiones, 
es  el  Tratado  de  la  Triple  Alianza  de  1"  de  Mayo  de  1865  ;  pero 
este  desaparecio  el  20  de  Junio  de  1870,  en  viriud  del  Acuerdo 
Preliminar  de  Paz  firmado  en  la  Asuncion  en  la  precitada  fecha 
entre  el  Gobierno  de  la  Republica  del  Paraguay  y  los  Aliados  ; 
de  suerte  que  toda  vez  que  la  Repfiblica  Argentina  quiera  invo- 
car  en  su  favor  sobre  cuestiones  de  limites  dicho  Tratado  de 
Alianza  sera  un  argumento  ineficaz  y  redundante  y,  mucho  mas, 
teniendo  presente  la  declaracion  solemne  que  ha  hecho  el 
Gobierno  Argentine  al  del  Paraguay  que  la  victoria  no  da 
derecho  a  los  Aliados  "  para  sefialar  limites." 

En  corroboracion  de  lo  que  llevamos  dicho,  pasamos  a  probar 
el  incuestionable  derecho  que  la  Republica  del  Paraguay  tiene 
sobre  el  territorio  disputado  por  la  Argentina. 

Por  los  anos  1624  y  1628  se  fundaron  las  doctrinas  del  Pa- 
rana y  se  erigieron  en  pueblos,  y  se  ordeno  en  varias  Cedulas 
Reales  de  1650  y  1651  y  muy  especialmente  en  una  de  15  de 
Junio  de  1654,  que  los  curas  se  propusieran  en  terna  al  Gober- 
nador  del  Paraguay,  Real  Vice-Patrono  :  asi  se  verifico  y  recayo 
la  aprobacion  del  Rey  de  Espaiia  en  otra  Real  Cedula  de  10  de 
Noviembre  de  1659,  a  que  es  referente  la  de  24  de  Dicierabre 
de  1746,  que  dice  :  "Son  trece  senaladamente  los  pueblos  que 
siempre  fueron  de  la  jurisdiccion  del  Paraguay,"  y  en  otra  es- 
tensa  Cedula  de  28  de  Diciembre  de  174:5  que  detalla  minucio- 
samente  sobre  las  Misiones  se  confirmaba  esta  verdad. 

Los  trece  pueblos  de  que  hablamos  han  side  los  de  la  derecha 
del  Parana,  u  saber  :  Santa  Maria  de  Fe,  San  Ignacio  Guazu, 
Santa  Rosa,  Santiago,  San  Cosme  y  Damian,  Itapua,  Trinidad 
y  Jesus  ;  y  los  otros  cinco  han  sido  los  de  la  izquierda  del  Pa- 
rana, Candelaria,  Santa  Ana,  Loreto,  San  Ignacio  Mini  y  Cor- 
pus :  estos  trece  pueblos  pertenecian  al  antiguo  Departamento 
de  Candelaria,   y    los  vecinos  del  Paraguay  obtuvieron    enco- 


201 

miendas  desde  los  primeros  descubrimientos  en  los  pueblos  de  la 
izquierda  del  Parana  del  citado  Departamento  de  Candelaria. 

El  Gobierno  de  la  Provincia  del  Paraguay  ha  conservado 
siempre  el  dominio  del  territorio  que  comprendia  los  trece  pueblos 
del  citado  Departamento  de  Candelaria ;  e  igualmente  el 
Gobierno  de  Buenos  Aires  mantuvo  bajo  su  dominio  los  otros 
diez  y  siete  pueblos  de  Indios  de  las  Misiones  Jesuiticas  del 
Uruguay,  y  eran  visitados  por  sus  respectivos  Obispos  :  y  de  la 
misma  manera  eran  los  del  Paraguay. 

En  este  estado  que  se  encontraban  los  pueblos  de  Misiones  el 
Rey  de  Espaiia  ordeno  por  su  Real  despaclio  dado  en  San  Lo- 
renzo el  6  de  Noviembre  de  1726  que  se  agi-egasen  los  pueblos 
de  la  jurisdiccion  del  Paraguay  al  Gobierno  de  Buenos  Ayres, 
por  las  testuales  palabras  que  siguen.  "  Por  tanto  mando  al 
Virrey  del  Peril,  Audiencias  de  las  Charcas,  que  luego  que  se  le 
presente  este  Real  Despacho,  de  las  mas  estrechas  ordenes  para 
que  se  ejeeute  lo  que  va  espresado  de  la  segregacion  por  ahora 
del  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  de  los  treinta  pueblos  de  Indios  de 
la  Compaiiia  de  Jesus  y  que  se  pongan  bajo  del  mando  del 
Gobierno  de  Buenos  Aires." 

Esta  fue  la  unica  interrupcion  que  el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay 
ha  tenido  con  respecto  al  dominio  de  los  trece  pueblos  de  Mi- 
siones, y  durante  el  tiempo  que  ha  estado  en  vigencia  la  dispo- 
sicion  y  mandato  del  Rey  de  Espaiia,  el  Gobernador  del  Para- 
guay se  desentendio  de  toda  ingerencia  administrativa  sobre 
dichos  Pueblos,  hasta  que  1762,  el  Gobernador  Don  Jose  Mar- 
tines  Pontes  hizo  su  representacion  a  efecto  de  voh  er  a  unir  al 
Gobierno  del  Paraguay  los  trece  pueblos  de  su  jurisdiccion 
agregados  al  Gobierno  de  Buenos  Ayres  :  y  sucesivamente  Don 
Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal;  cuyo  resultado  fue  comunicarle  a  este, 
el  Virey  de  Buenos  Ayres,  Marques  de  Loreto,  en  oficio  de  14  de 
Julio  de  1784,  el  parrafo  testual  de  dicho  oficio  en  los  terminos 
que  sigue. 

"  Ahora  conforme  a  ello  y  consiguiente  a  mi  resolucion  de 
"  este  dia,  he  pasado  en  su  fecha  al  Seiior  Intendente  General 
"  Gobernador  de  esta  Provincia  mi  oficio  de  quedar  a  su  cui- 
"  dado,  los  diez  y  siete  pueblos  que  corresponden  a  su  distrito,  y 
"  a  V.  S,  lo  ejecuto  por  los  trece  restantes,  sin  que  por  esto 


202 

"  quede  yo  menos  pronto  a  ocurrir  con  los  ausilios  j  superiores 
"  providencias,  en  lo  precise,  dejando  pasados  los  avisos  que 
"  corresponden  a  los  pueblos,  al  protector  de  Xaturales  y  al 
"  Administrador  de  sus  bienes." 

Como  se  ve,  pues  desde  el  aiio  1*784  los  trece  pueblos  de  Mi- 
siones  volvieron  bajo  el  dominio  de  la  autoridad  Paraguaya. 

El  17  de  Mayo  de  1803,  por  Real  Cedula  dada  en  Aranjuez,  el 
Monarca  Espanol  tuvo  a  bien  qiiitar  a  Buenos  Aires  los  diez  y  siete 
Pueblos  de  las  Misiones  del  Uruguay  que  le  correspondian  por 
que  estaban  bajo  la  dependencia  de  su  Gobierno  ;  y  al  Para- 
giiay  hizo  lo  niismo  quitando  los  otros  trece  pueblos  que  le  per- 
tenecian  desde  su  fundacion  y  estaban  asi  mismo  bajo  el  do- 
minio de  sus  Gobernadores.  De  todos  los  mencionados  pueblos 
reunidos,  forrao  una  provincia  sej^arada  con  el  noxnbre  de 
"Provincia  de  Misiones"  nombrando  para  su  Gobernador  a 
Don  Bernardo  de  Velazco,  con  entera  independencia  de  los 
Gobiernos  del  Paraguay  y  Buenos  Ayres,  sobre  lo  cual  dice  en- 
tre  otros  cosas  la  citada  Cedula  Real  lo  que  signe  :  "  a  cuyo  fin 
"  he  venido  en  conferir  el  gobierno  militar  y  politico  que  he  tenido 
"  a  bien  crear  este  ano  al  Teuiente  Coronel  Don  Bernardo  de 
"  Velazco,  para  que  tenga  el  mando  de  los  treinta  Pueblos  de  Mi- 
*'  siones  guaranis  y  tapes,con  total  independencia  de  los  Gobiernos 
"  del  Paraguay  y  Buenos  Ayres,  bajo  los  cuales  se  hallan  divi- 
"  didos  en  el  dia  por  ser  tan  importante  la  creacion  de  un  go- 

"  bierno  en  aquel  parage "  de  cuyo  gobierno  se  recibio 

Velazco  en  el  mismo  aiio,  asi  es  que  en  esa  ocasior  se  quito  al 
Paraguay  su  territorio  que  ocupaban  los  trece  pueblos  de  su 
dependencia  hasta  el  Rio  Tebicuary,  por  que  hasta  ese  Rio 
alcanzaban  los  limites  de  las  Misiones  Paraguayas;  y  a  Buenos 
Aires  los  de  una  y  otra  banda  del  Rio  Uruguay  que  corresjion- 
dian  a  los  diez  y  siete  pueblos  de  su  distrito. 

Sucesivamente  el  Virey  Marques  de  Sobremonte  comunico 
al  Gobernador  de  Misiones  D.  Bernardo  de  Velasco,  en  oficio 
dado  en  Buenos  Aires,  con  fecha  24  de  Marzo  de  1806,  que  por 
Real  Orden  de  Su  Magestad  era  nombrado  Gobernador  Militar 
y  politico  e  Intendente  de  la  Provincia  del  Paraguay,  con  agre- 
gacion  de  los  treinta  pueblos  de  las  Misiones  de  Indies  guaranis 
y  tapes   del  Uruguay  y  Parana,  etc.     Con  esta  resolucion   y 


203 

mandato  del  Rey  de  Espafia,  el  Senor  Velazco  paso  a  recibirse 
del  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  y  lo  anota  el  Escribano  de  Gobierno 
y  Cabildo  a  contiiiuacion  del  mismo  oficio  original,  diciendo: 
"  Certifico,  doy  fe  y  verdadero  testimonio  que  el  Sefior  Don 
"  Bernardo  de  Yelazco  ha  sido  recibido  y  puesto  en  posesion  del 
"  empleo  de  Gobernador  Intendente  de  esta  Provincia,  con  reu- 
"  niou  del  de  los  Pueblos  de  Misiones  y  presto  el  juramento 
"  de  estilo  en  el  Ayuntamiento.  Y  de  su  mandato  doy  el  pre- 
"  sente  en  la  Asuncion  u  5  de  Mayo  de  1806," 

El  mismo  Virey  Marques  de  Sobremonte,  con  data  de  12  de 
Abril  del  mismo  aiio  de  1806,  dirigio  desde  Buenos  Aires, 
al  Gobernador  Intendente  Velazco,  otro  oficio  en  que  le 
dijo:  Debiendo  V.  S.  ausentarse  a  servir  el  Gobierno  e  Intenden- 
"  cia  de  la  Provincia  del  Paraguay,  en  virtud  de  lo  resuelto  por 
"  Su  Magestad,  reflexiono  sobre  la  dificultad  que  se  presenta  de 
"  poder  atender  desde  tanta  distancia  los  pueblos  de  Misiones 
"  guaranis  que  quedan  siempre  bajo  su  mando,  justamente  en 
"  el  tiempo  mas  critico  de  establecer  su  nuevo  sistema  de  Go- 
"  bierno  que  no  debe  ya  dilatarse,  por  ser  uno  de  los  estrechos 
'"■  encai'gos  de  su  Magestad  cuyo  cumplimiento  insta  y  conviene 

" por  esto  que  prevengo  a  V.  S.  me  proponga  los 

"  medios  que  sugieran  su  celo  y  conocimiento  para  acudir  a 
"  dichos  objetos,  sin  perjuicio  de  la  dependencia  que  debe  tener 
"  de  V.  S.  por  la  misma  Real  disposicion." 

En  el  mismo  mes  de  Mayo  de  1806,  el  provisto  Gobernador 
Intendente  de  la  Provincia  del  Paraguay  con  agregacion  de  los 
treinta  Pueblos  de  Misiones  del  Parana  y  Uruguay  en  virtud 
de  los  titulos  que  quedan  relacionados  y  transcriptos,  paso  a 
la  Capital  de  la  Asuncion,  y  se  recibio  con  toda  solemnidad  del 
Gobierno  que  la  confiara  el  Rey  de  Espaiia,  segun  consta  en 
acta  acordada  el  dia  5  de  Mayo  de  1806,  en  la  sala  Capitular  en 
la  Asuncion. 

El  Senor  Gobernador  Velazco  peimanecio  en  su  Gobierno  del 
Paraguay  y  Misiones  hasta  el  auo  1811  en  que  la  Provincia  se 
pronunciu  declarando  su  libertad  ;  de  suerte  que  el  grito  de 
libertad  e  independencia  se  pronuncio  a  los  cuatro  6  cinco  anos 
que  el  Rey  de  Espafia  habia  agregado  los  pueblos  de  las 
Misiones  a  la  Provincia  del  Paraguay,   y    por    consiguiente, 


204 

no  habiendo  ninguna  disposicion  ulterior  en  estos  deminios 
que  f  ueron  de  Espana,  corresponde  legitimamente  al  Paraguay 
puesto  que  el  Seuor  Yelazco  estaba  en  pleno  goce  y  ejercicio  de 
su  jurisdiccion  gubernativa  y  bajo  euyos  dominios  y  jurisdic- 
ciones  entrego  el  mando  a  la  Junta  Gubernativa  que  creo  la 
Nacion  al  declarar  su  independencia,  siendo  su  voluntad  perten- 
ecer  a  si  misnia  sin  reconocer  ningun  poder  estrafio. 

Resulta,  pues,  que  el  derecho  de  propiedad  y  dominio  sobre 
el  territorio  del  Departamento  de  Misiones  del  Parana  y 
Uruguay  corresponde  de  hecho  y  de  derecho  al  Paraguay, 
puesto  que  el  duefio  se  lo  adjudico,  y  como  ya  se  ha  dicho,  no 
hubo  otra  disposicion  contraria  que-  haya  alterado  tal  orden  de 
cosas.  Y  este  mismo  derecho  todos  los  pueblos  del  propio 
origen  han  invocado  en  su  favor,  en  identidad  de  casos,  como 
un  titulo  perf  ecto  e  incontestable.  Y  en  virtud  de  estos  niismos 
derechos  el  Paraguay  siempre  ha  conservado  su  soberania  y 
dominio  en  las  Misiones. 

El  Senor  Ministro  Mitre  conociendo  que  la  Republica  del 
Paraguay  tiene  mejores  titulos  sobre  el  territorio  de  Misiones,  en 
su  Memorandum  pone  de  lado  la  discusion  de  estos  ysienta  que 
la  cuestion  diplomaticamente  debe  ser  en  el  sentido  de  aceptar 
de  comun  acuerdo  la  soluciou  dada  por  la  naturaleza  ;  dedu- 
ciendo  de  esto  la  liuea  del  Parana  para  ser  adoptada  como 
frontera  natural  y  legal  de  ambas  Republicas  ;  pero  para  que 
esa  linea  sea  legal,  es  necesaria  la  concession  del  Paraguay  de 
sus  dominios  de  la  margen  izquierda  de  dicho  Rio,  por  que  por 
mas  que  se  pretenda  dar  la  clasiticacion  de  frontera  mitaral  a 
la  linea  del  Parana,  no  puede  ser,  a  la  vista  de  los  titulos  de 
la  Republica  del  P;iraguay. 

Buenos  Aires  nunca  ha  tenido  dominio  sobre  las  Misiones  que 
correspondian  al  Paraguay,  escepto  el  tiempo  que  estuvo  en  \\- 
gencia  la  disposicion  del  Rey  de  Espana  de  1 726, que  por  los  distur- 
bios  y  levantamientos  de  los  indios  de  los  pueblos  de  la  jurisdic- 
cion del  Paraguay  con  motivode  la  venida  del  Gobernador  Garcia 
Ros  a  relevar  a  Antequeira  eu  el  Gobierno  de  la  Provincia,  y  no 
queriendo  este  recibirlo  taviei'on  sus  reiiidos  combates  en  Tebi- 
cuary  donde  fuc  vencido  Ros,  y  continuando  los  disturbios  de 
los  Pueblos,  el  Rey  dio  la  citada  disposicion  provisoria  de  1 726, 


205 

pero  como  esta  disposicion  fue  revocada  por  el  mismo  Gobierno 
de  Espafia,  aquel  territorio  paso  nuevamente  de  una  manera 
definitiva  a  perteuecer  a  la  Provincia  del  Paraguay,  como  ya  se 
ha  demostrado  y  probado  por  medio  de  los  documentos  relati- 
ves. 

En  vano  el  Seiior  Ministro  Mitre  pretende  hacer  aparecer  los 
actos  del  Coronel  Roeamora  como  heclios  legales  y  compro- 
bantes,  deduciendo  que  por  haber  reconocido  en  1810  ya  la  auto- 
ridad  suprema  de  la  Junta  de  Buenos  Aires,  habia  pasado  desde 
enonces  el  territorio  de  Misiones  a  ser  parte  integrante  de  las 
que  fueron  llaraadas  despues  Provincias  Unidas  del  Rio  de  la 
Plata.  Decimos  en  vano,  por  que  los  actos  y  heclios  de  Roea- 
mora fueron  ilegales  e  improcedentes,  y  mas  bien  result  an  de 
aquellos  hechos  una  justificacion  concluyente  para  el  Paraguay 
en  pro  de  sus  derechos. 

La  Junta  de  Buenos  Aires,  pretendiendo  quitar  el  territorio 
de  Misiones  nombru  Gobernador  interino  de  ellaal  Coronel  Don 
Tomas  Roeamora,  sin  que  para  ello  tuviese  titulo  ni  derecho 
alguno  sobre  dicho  territorio,  por  que  Don  Bernardo  de  Velazco 
estaba  en  pleno  goce  y  ejercicio  del  Gobierno  que  le  habia  con- 
fiado  su  Magestad  el  Rey  de  Espaiia. 

Seguidamente,  con  fecha  27  de  Mayo  de  1810,  la  misma  Junta 
de  Buenos  Aires  dirije  a  Roeamora  un  oficio  coraunicuudole  los 
fines  de  la  instalacion  de  la  Junta  Provisional  Gubernativa  por 
impresos  que  le  incluyo,  que  habia  sido  solemnemente  reconoeida 
por  todas  las  Corporaciones  y  que  no  dudaba  de  su  patriotismo 
que  allanaria  cualquier  embarazo  que  pudiese  entorpecer  la  uni- 
formidad  de  operaciones  en  el  distrito  de  su  mando, 

Luego  que  Roeamora  recibio  dicho  oficio,  comenzo  a  espedir 
ordenes  circulares  ii  todos  los  Sub-Delegados  de  los  dif  erentes 
Departamentos  de  los  treinta  pueblos  de  Misiones  exigiendoles 
que  solemnizasen  la  instalacion  de  la  Junta  establecida  en  Bue- 
nos Aires  ;  que  le  presentasen  un  estado  demostrativo  de  los 
individuos  capaces  de  tomar  armas,  con  especificacion  de  los 
que  fuesen  de  mas  facultades  ;  otro  de  los  Espaiioles  estableci- 
dos  en  cada  Departamento  ;  otro,  de  armamentos  y,  finalmente, 
de  las  tropas  en  servicio  asi  como  del  caudal  que  hubiere  en  caja.  ■ 

Cuando  esto  sucedio  el  Gobernador  Intendente  del  Paraguay, 


206 

Don  Bernardo  de  Velazco,  habia  vuelto  a  la  Asuncion  de  las 
Provincias  de  abajo  y  recibiendo  una  coniunicacion  del  Sub- 
Delegado  Don  Pedro  Nolaseo  Alfaro,  de  fecha  10  de  Julio  de 
1810,  se  informo  de  tan  estraiio  acontecimiento  de  aparecer  den- 
tro  del  distrito  de  su  mando  un  gefe  intruso  espidiendo  ordenes 
a  las  autoridades  de  aquellos  Departamentos  ;  por  que  Alfaro 
le  deeia  se  sirviese  imponerle  de  las  facultades  de  aquel  nuevo 
empleado  que  ni  se  habia  hecho  reconocer  para  ser  obedecido. 

El  Gobernador  Velazco  en  vista  de  la  comunicacion,  se  puso 
efi  marclia  y  tan  luego  que  11  ego  al  Pueblo  de  Candelaria,  espidio 
un  bando  con  fecha  30  de  Agosto  de  1810,  ordenando  a  todos  los 
Departamentos  de  su  jurisdiccion,procediesen  immediatamente  a 
la  captura  del  Coronel  Don  Tomas  Rocamora  para  imponerle  el 
ejemplar  castigo  que  merecia  por  haberse  introducido  en  el 
territorio  de  su  mando  sin  autoridad  ni  jurisdiecion  tratandole  de 
sedicioso,  jyerturbador  del  orden  publico  y  traidor  d  la  Patria  y 
al  Key. 

Lo  que  resulto  consiguientemente  de  esto,  fue  que  desaparecio 
Rocamora  y  su  autoridad:  pues  no  podia  ser  de  otra  manera  por 
que  su  poder  no  paso  de  un  simulacro,  y  en  consecuencia  en  la 
cpoca  presente  aquel  hecho  nada  puede  servir  de  apoyo  para  los 
derechos  que  pretende  tener  la  Rejiliblica  Argentina  sobre  el 
territorio  de  Misiones. 

Llamamos  simulacro  de  poder  el  que  ejercio  Rocamora,  por 
que  la  autoridad  superior  de  Buenos  Aires  que  le  habia  nom- 
brado,  invoco  el  Gobierno  de  Don  Fernando  VII,  y  Bernardo 
de  Velazco  estaba  ejerciendo  en  el  Paraguay  un  poder  que 
tambien  emanaba  del  mismo  Monarca. 

Como  ya  se  ha  dicho  el  Seiior  Velazco  que  ha  estado  gober- 
nando  todo  el  territorio  de  su  mando  que  le  habia  confiado  el 
(Tobierno  de  Espaila,  rechazando  victorioso  la  fuerza  armada 
que  habia  invadido  la  Provincia,  sosteniendo  de  tal  manera 
incolumes  todos  los  derechos  de  la  misraa  Provincia,  y  que 
tambien  en  tal  estado  eutrego  el  mando  a  la  Junta  creada  en  el 
Paraguay  por  voluntad  del  mismo  pueblo,  para  gobernarse  Ti 
si  mismo,  entrando  en  el  ejercicio  de  su  soberania  e  independcn- 
cia,  como  han  hecho  otros  pueblos  de  America  que  ban  estado 
bajo  la  Metr<)poli  de    los   Gobiernos  Monarquicos  de  Europa; 


207 

claro  y  natural  era  seguir  la  practica  y  el  dorecho  que  asumieron 
aquellos,  teniendo  perf  ecto  e  incuestionable  derecho  al  territorio 
que  estuvo  bajo  el  mando  del  Gobernador  Intendente  Don 
Bernardo  de  Velazco. 

Los  derechos  de  la  Repiiblica  del  Paraguay  sobre  el  territorio 
de  Misiones  se  amplian  mas,  teniendo  ^iresente  que  Buenos  Aires 
reconocio  nuestra  independencia,  primero  ])or  nota  de  28  de 
Agosto  de  1811  y  despues  por  el  Tratado  de  12de  Octubre 
del  mismo  aiio;  y  en  cuyo  Tratado  al  final  del  articulo 
4"  dice  lo  siguiente:  "  Debiendo  en  lo  demas  quedar  tanibien, 
"por  ahora,  los  limites  de  esta  Provincia  del  Paraguay  en  la 
"  forma  en  que  actualmente  se  hallan,  encargandose  consiguien- 
"  temente  su  Gobierno  de  custodiar  el  Departamento  de  Cande- 
"  laria." 

Se  ve,  pues,  por  el  testo  de  ese  articulo  del  Tratado,  que  el 
Paraguay  de  hecho  y  de  derecho  adquirio  la  propiedad  y  domi- 
nio  del  territorio  de  Misiones;  como  se  ve  tambien  que  Buenos 
Aires  que  ha  reconocido  nuestra  independencia  ya  no  podia  pre- 
tender por  si  y  ante  si  desconocer  estos  mismos  legitimos  dere- 
chos que  nos  asisten ;  obrar  de  otra  manera  lastimaria  lo  prescrito 
en  el  derecho  de  gentes. 

Resultando  que  la  Repiiblica  del  Paraguay  no  ha  tenido  nin- 
gun  otro  tratado  con  la  Argentina  sobre  limites,  teniendo  pre- 
sente  que  el  tratado  de  1856  no  fiie  aprobado  por  el  Cougreso 
del  Parana,  esta  claro  que  liasta  la  f echa  le  pertenece  de  hecho 
y  de  derecho  el  territorio  de  Misiones. 

A  mas  de  los  titulos  y  hechos  mencionados  que  ya  no  precisa- 
mos  de  ampliar  para  justificar  como  quedan  justificados  los 
derechos  de  la  Repiiblica,  agregamos  aun  como  documento  his- 
torico  lo  que  consta  en  la  descripcion  e  historia  del  Paraguay  y 
del  Rio  de  la  Plata,  obra  pustuma  de  Don  Feliz  de  Azara,  en 
cuyo  tomo  I  Capitulo  XIV,  donde  enumera  los  pueblos  y  par- 
roquias  del  Paraguay  estd7i  consigjiados  todos  los  diez  y  siete 
'pueblos  de  Misiones  que  hemos  auotado. 

Aqui  hubieramos  concluido  la  parte  historica  sobre  Misiones,  por 
que  mas  que  suficientemente  estan  demostrados  y  pi'obados  nues- 
tros  incuestionablea  derechos  sobre  ese  territorio;  pero  habien- 
do  el  Senor  Plenipoteuciario  Argentine,  en  el  Memorandum 


208 

que  contestamos,  tocado  otros  pimtos  (aunque  sin  fundamento 
alguno)  para  sostener  el  pretendido  derecho  de  la  Republiea 
Argentina  al  territorio  en  cuestion,  como  ser  el  haber  anotado 
como  arguniento  final  que  :  "  el  f  alio  definitivo  con  arreglo  a 
"lo  pactado  en  la  Convencion  de  1811,  fue  pi-onuuciado  por  el 
"  Congreso  General  de  las  Provincias  Argentinas  a  que  el  Para- 
"  guay  se  habia  sometido  de  antemano  por  el  tratado  de  12  de 
"  Octubre  de  1811."  Pero,  a  reuglon  seguido,  dice  el  Seuor 
Ministro  lo  siguiente  :  "  Y  aun  cuando  esto  no  hubiera  sido  es- 
"  presamente  pactado  a  tal  Congreso  era  el  vinico  poder  a  quien 
"  competia  dirimir  la  cuestion." 

Esta  asersion  no  pasa  mas  que  de  un  fallo  emanado  del  Sefior 
Plenipotenciario  Argentino,  puesto  que  el  Paraguay  en  aquella 
epoca,  completamente  independiente  y  en  el  ejercicio  de  su  so- 
berania  no  podia  ya  acatar  la  resolucion  del  Congreso  de  las 
Provincias  Argentinas  sin  otras  formalidades  subsiguientes  por 
que  el  mismo  tratado  de  12  de  Octubre  dice  en  el  articulo  5? 
"  Por  consecuencia  de  la  independencia  en  que  queda  esta  Pro- 
"  vincia  del  Paraguay  de  la  de  Buenos  Aires,  conforme  a  lo 
"convenido  en  la  citada  comunicacion  oficial  de  28  de  Agosto 
"ultimo,  tampoco  la  mencionada  Esma  Junta  (de  Buenos  Aires) 
"pondra  reparo  en  el  cumplimiento  y  ejecucion  de  las  demas 
"  deliberaciones  tomadas  por  esta  del  Paraguay." 

A  la  vista  y  en  virtud  de  las  testuales  palabras  del  tratado 
inserto,  niugan  poder  estrano  ya  podia  disponer  del  Paraguay, 
y  mucho  menos  Buenos  Aires  que  fue  el  primero  que  le  tributo 
este  derecho,  y  por  consiguiente  la  deliberacion  del  Congreso  de 
las  Provincias  Argentinas  carecia  de  jurisdiccion  para  legislar 
sobre  un  territorio  (Misiones)  que  correspondia  al  Paraguay,  sin 
que  el  Repi-esentante  de  esta  haya  occurrido  al  Congreso. 

En  los  hechos  practices,  los  derechos  y  dominios  se  la  Re- 
publiea del  Paraguay  sobre  el  mismo  territorio  en  cuestion,  dan 
las  pruebas  mas  concluyentes. 

El  ailo  1825,  cuando  la  efervescencia  de  las  revoluciones  que 
levantaban  y  alimentaban  una  porcion  de  caudillos  que  cada 
dia  aparecian  para  asolar  aquel  pingiie  territorio  de  Misiones, 
el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  mando  consecutivamente  varias  espe- 
diciones  hasta   el  Uruguay  a  perseguir  (i  los  bandidos  que  hos- 


209 

tilizaban  los  pueblos,  y  destruir  los  que  Servian  de  guarida  de 
ladrones  para  asaltarun  aun  al  Pueblo  de  Candelaria,  donde  habia 
reconceutrado  sus  fuerzas  para  custodiar  aquel  Departaraento 
que  le  pertenecia,  y  que  los  caudillos  revolucionarios  habian 
infestado.  Ese  mismo  alio  mandu  establecer  el  Dictador  Fran- 
cia  en  la  izquierda  del  Parana  el  canipanaento  del  Salto  y  otro 
en  la  tranquera  de  Loreto,  territorio  paraguayo,  manteniendo  en 
ellos  y  en  San  Miguel,  fuertes  destacamentos  de  troj^^s  militares, 
con  estancias  de  ganados  para  contener  cualquier  atentado  de 
las  partidas  revolucionarias  que  frecuentaban  esos  lugares. 

Mas  tarde  en  1832,  por  convenieneia  de  localidad,  mando,  tras- 
ladar  dicho  campamento  al  lugar  de  la  trinchera  de  San  Jose, 
mandando,  ademas,  construii*  atrincheramientos  de  f uerte  muro, 
que  aun  existen,  y  mandando  guardias  en  Santo  Tomas  y  Can- 
delaria, mauifestando  siempre  con  estas  posesiones  el  derecho 
que  tenemos  a  aquel  territorio. 

En  presencia  de  tales  liechos,  resulta  sin  efecto  alguno  la  reso- 
lucion  del  Congreso  General  de  las  Provincias  Argentinas  qne 
ahora  se  nos  ha  invocado  ;  puesto  que  si  tal  resolucion  hubiera 
causado  efecto  legal,  el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  no  podia  ejercer 
esos  actos  de  soberania  en  los  raismos  territorios  de  Misiones 
a  la  izquierda  del  Parana. 

El  Gobierno  de  Don  Carlos  Antonio  Lopez  que  sucedio  al  del 
Dictador  Francia,  continuo  con  las  mismas  ocupaciones  en  varios 
puntos  y  frecuentando  espediciones  liasta  el  Uruguay  y  un 
campamento  en  Hormigueros,  cuando  los  alborotos  se  agitaban 
en  esos  campos. 

Demostrado  por  hechos  practicos  el  derecho  de  soberania  y 
dominio  ejercido  en  el  territorio  en  cuestion,  no  terminaremos 
sin  volver  a  remontar  a  otros  hechos,  documentos  oficiales  que 
tenemos  a  la  vista  y  que  creemos  que  los  mismos  deben  estar  en 
los  Archives  de  Buenos  Aires. 

La  Republica  del  Paraguay  tan  pronto  que  entro  en  el  ejer- 
cicio  de  su  soberania,  el  primer  paso  que  dio  fue  dirijirse  su  Go- 
bierno al  de  Buenos  Aires  ofrecieudo  su  concurso  para  sostener 
la  causa  comun  (la  libertad)  ;  asise  desprende  terminantemente 
de  la  nota  de  20  de  Julio  de  1811. 

El  Gobierno  de  Buenos  Aires  en  nota  de  28  de  Agosto  del 


210 

raismo  alio,  a  la  vez  que  reconocia  nuestra  independencia  ya 
tuvo  ocasion  de  agradecer  al  Paraguay  el  auxilio  que  habia 
prestado  a  Comentes  amenazada  por  piratas. 

Cansables  seriamos  si  trataramos  de  eniimerar  e  insertar  los 
documentos  relatives  con  los  cuales  se  prueba  hasta  la  evidencia 
la  buena  politica  y  'concurso  del  Paraguay  para  coadyuvar  a 
Buenos  Aires  con  el  laudable  fin  de  sostener  la  libertad  ;  si  bien 
el  Paraguay  con  contingentes  personales  no  concurrio  en  las 
ocasiones  en  que  pidio  Buenos  Aires,  no  fue  culpa  de  el ;  por 
cuanto  el  mismo  Gobierno  de  Buenos  Aires  le  habia  faltado  a 
lo  que  con  anticipacion  se  le  habia  pedido,  la  remision  de  arma- 
mentos  con  cargo  de  abonarsele  ;  pero,  sin  embargo,  el  Para- 
guay no  dejo  de  contribuir  ya  con  los  frutos  del  pais,  asi  como 
en  los  limites  de  su  jurisdiccion,  vigilaiido  y  rechazando  las  hor- 
das  vandalicas  que  pretendian  tui-bar  el  orden  de  la  causa  co- 
niun.  Esto  que  decimos  consta  en  las  notas  de  27  de  Octubre, 
de  19  de  Diciembre,  de  1811,  y  de  las  del  19,  25  y  29  de  Enero 
de  1812,  y  otras  que  el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  ha  dirijido  al  de 
Buenos  Aires,  y  el  Gobierno  de  este  ha  manifestado  sus  agrade- 
cimientos  y  reconocimiento  al  Paraguay  que  tambien  constan 
en  documentos  oficiales  y  como  ya  hemos  dicho,  deben  de  obrar 
en  el  archivo  de  Buenos  Aires. 

Y  en  presencia  de  esos  documentos  que  justifican  al  Para- 
guay de  haber  llenado  sus  deberes  en  pro  de  la  causa  comun, 
no  podemos  admitir  el  infundado  argumento  espuesto  por  el 
Sefior  Plenipotenciario  Argentino  de  que  "  el  Paraguay  sin 
"haber  contribuido  directamente  a  couquistar  la  independencia 
"  y  fundar  la  nacionalidad  con  la  asociacion  de  sus  esfuerzos, 
"  dejaba  de  ser  parte  integrante  de  la  comunidad  a  la  cual  cor- 
"  respondia  et  territorio  de  Misiones." 

Como  se  ve,  estos  argumentos  desaparecen  en  presencia  de 
las  pruebas  concluyentes  y  positlvas  que  hemos  demostrado 
mas  arriba. 

Dice ,  tambien  (sin  razon  alguna)  el  Seuor  Plenipotenciario 
Argentino  que  "  el  Paraguay  por  si  solo  no  podia  pretender  a 
resolver  esta  cuestion  nacional  ....."  Este 
argumento  tambien  carece  de  fuerza  y  valor  por  que  el  Para- 
guay habiendo   entrado    en  el  ejercicio  de  su  soberania  e  inde- 


211 

pendencia,  asume  la  eficacia  de  disponer  de  todos  los  dominios 
bajo  los  limites  que  el  Gobierno  colonial  de  la  Provincia  tenia 
y  gobernaba  ;  y  es  esta  eficacia  de  ejercer  tal  soberania  c  inde- 
pendencia  que  el  Paraguay  ha  demostrado  con  hechos  practi- 
cos  por  mas  de  medio  siglo.  El  mundo  es  testigo  de  esta  ver- 
dad. 

En  resiimen,  de  la  cuestion  de  Misiones  resulta  que  el  Para- 
guay tiene  el  mejor  derecho  ;  Primero,  por  que  a  pesar  de  las 
alternativas  de  dominios  a  que  el  territorio  de  Misiones  ha  es- 
tado  sujeto,  por  disposicion  final  del  Rey  de  Espaiia  de  1806, 
fue  unido  y  reconcentrado  el  Gobierno  militar  y  politico  de 
Misiones  a  la  Provincia  del  Paraguay,  y  en  tal  estado  pronun- 
cio  este  su  indej)endencia,  adquiriendo  con  tal  hecho  los  mis- 
mos  derechos  que  otros  pueblos  del  mismo  origen  ban  tenido  e 
invocado  a  su  favor,  en  identidad  de  casos,  produciendo  los 
efectos  legales  en  los  derechos  internacionaies.  Segundo,  por 
que  en  el  Tratado  de  1811,  Buenos  Aires  reconociendo  nuestra 
independencia,  reconocia  tarabien  nuestros  limites  en  la  forma 
en  que  estaban  en  aquella  actualidad.  Tercero,  por  que  lo  re- 
suelto  en  el  mismo  Tratado  para  ser  acordado  en  el  Congreso 
General  de  las  Provincias  Argentinas,  no  ha  sido  sobre  Misio- 
nes, sino  la  cuestion  sobre  el  Partido  de  Pedro  Gonzales,  y 
esta  cuestion,  ipso  facto,  se  ve  por  los  hechos  practicos,  fue  re- 
suelta  de  la  manera  mas  solida  y  estable  a  fay  or  del  Paraguay; 
y  aunque  haya  sido  elastico  aquel  pacto  sobre  otros  limites  (lo 
que  no  fue  asi) ;  en  todo  caso  se  sobreentiende  que  cualquiera 
resolucion  de  tal  Congreso,  para  causar  efectos  legales,  requeria 
la  asistencia  de  los  Representantes  del  Paraguay  y  otras  for- 
malidades  imprescindibles  que  deben  mediar  cuando  se  resuelve 
sobre  limites  con  una  Nacion  ya  en  el  ejercicio  de  su  soberania, 
y  no  habiendo  sucedido  asi,  aunque  la  disposicion  del  Congreso 
que  se  invoca  haya  existido,  ella,  como  es  natural  y  lugico,  ha 
caducado  por  falta  de  valor  y  fuerza  en  el  principio  del  dere- 
cho de  gentes,  puesto  que  el  Paraguay  ha  ejercido  siempre  su 
soberania  en  todos  los  territorios  hoy  en  cuestion. 

De  suerte  que  para  podertener  solucion  la  cuestion  pendiente 
sobre  Misiones  y  quedar  por  linea  divisoria  el  Rio  Parana,  seria 
unicamente  en  virtud  del  protocolo  de  7  de  Mayo  del  corriente 


212 

alio,  en  el  que  la  Republica  del  Paraguay,  consecuente  con  la 
buena  politica  de  hacer  la  paz  con  la  Republica  Argentina, 
resolvio  condicionalmente  establecer  la  linea  del  misrao  Rio 
Parana  como  divisoria  de  ambos  Republicas. 


Kota:  ElPlenipotenciarioParaguayopasa  en  seguida  a  tratar 
la  euestion  de  la  Isla  del  Atajo  6  Cerrito,  cuya  posesion  era 
tambien  reclamada  jjor  la  Repviblica  Argentina,  y  despues  de 
haber  demostrado  el  perfecto  derecho  qiie  asistia  al  Paraguay 
sobre  dicha  Isla,  por  el  dominio  exclusivo  que  habia  ejercido 
siempre  en  ella,  muchos  afios  antes  de  la  guerra  y  sin  contradic- 
cion  alguna  por  parte  de  la  Repdblica  Argentina,  entra  a  tratar 
la 


CUESTION  DEL  CHACO. 


Para  poder  ser  apreciado  el  incuestionable  derecho  que  tiene 
el  Paraguay  sobre  el  territorio  del  Chaco  desde  la  margen  izqui- 
erda  del  Rio  Bermejo  hasta  la  Bahia  Negra,  es  necesario  prime  • 
ramente  tener  u  la  vista  y  en  consideracion  los  hechos  histuricos, 
asi  como  los  titulos  relativos;  por  tanto,  nos  proponemos  ilustrar 
la  euestion  en  tal  sentido,  para  despues  deducir  los  derechos  que 
refultan  a  favor  del^Paraguay  en  virtud  de  los  mismos  hechos 
y  titulos. 

La  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion,  Capital  de  la  Reptiblica  del  Pa- 
raguay y  ]lio  de  la  Plata,  fue  fundada  por  los  Espanoles  en  1536. 
Los  Espanoles  consiguientemente  a  la  fundacion  de  la  Asuncion 
procedieron  a  estender  sus  dominios  y  por  medio  de  esfuerzos 
y  saerificios  poblaron  otras  Villas  a  la  izquierda  del  Rio  Para- 
guay, obrando  de  la  misma  manera  a  la  margen  derecha  del 
mismo  Rio;  y  desde  aquella  epoca  no  han  cesado  los  conquista- 
dores  de  procurar  con  inniensos  saerificios  de  los  vecinos  de  la 
Asuncion  reducir  a  los  salvajes  moradores  del  Chaco  en  la  fe 
cristiana  y  tambien  con  no  menos  saerificios  hacian  las  espedi- 


213 

clones  al  Chaco,  ya  para  impedir  el  asalto  de  los  Indies,  6  ya  para 
procurar  por  los  medios  pacificos  atraerlos,  Insplrandoles  conflan- 
za  y  estimulo  al  trabajo. 

"La  poblaclon  mas  antigua  qne  ha  tenldo  el  Paraguay  en  su 
"  territorio  del  Chaco,  ha  sido  la  C^iudad  de  la  Concepcion  de  la 
"Buena  Esperanza  del  Bermejo,  poblada  en  el  alio  de  1585  a  la 
"derecha  del  Rio  de  este  nombre  a  la  altura  de  treinta  leguas. 
"  de  su  embocadura  al  Rio  Paraguay,  por  el  Caj^itan  Alonzo 
"  de  Vera  y  Aragon,  que  al  efecto  de  jaoblar  dicha  Villa,  parti('> 
"de  la  Asuncion  con  los  vecinos  de  ella,  llevando  armas,  muni- 
"  clones,  ganados  vacunos,  caballar  y  toda  clase  de  viveres  cos- 
"  teados  por  ellos  mismos  y  con  el  auxilio  de  los  donativos  que 
"  daban  los  demas  vecinos  para  dicha  empresa,  como  sin  gravar 
"  en  nada  al  Real  Erario. 

"En  la  costa  izquierda  del  mismo  Rio  Bermejo  y  no  muy 
"  distante  de  la  Ciudad  de  Buena  Esperanza,  fueron  despues 
"  pobladas  j^or  los  mismos  vecinos  de  la  Asuncion,  algunas 
"  reducciones  de  los  Indios  del  Chaco,  encomendadas  a  los 
"  propios  vecinos,  tales  como  la  de  San  Bernardo,  la  de  Santiago 
"de  Canaya  y  la  de  Nuestra  Seiiora  de  Dolores. 

"  El  Procurador  de  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion,  Don  Bernardo 
"  de  Espinola  con  el  fin  de  hacer  constar  y  perpetuar  la  memoria 
"  de  la  fundacion  de  la  citada  Ciudad  de  la  Concepcion  en  el 
"  ano  1605,  solicito  por  si  y  en  nombre  del  Cabildo  de  la  Asun- 
"  cion,  que  representaba,  vertir  una  informacion  de  testigos 
"  fidedignos,  6  probanzas  verdaderas  ad-perpetvain^  de  la  citada 
"  fundacion,  asi  como  de  los  meritos  y  servicios  que  a  su  propio 
"  costo  hacian  los  vecinos  y  moradores  del  Paraguay  en  las  con- 
"quistas  y  diversas  poblaciones  que  se  habian  hecho,  ante  el 
"  Gobierno  del  Paraguay,  entonces  Don  Fernando  Arias  de 
"  Saavedra,  y  admitiendole  dicha  informacion  por  Decreto  de  5 
"de  Noviembre  de  1605,  que  le  fue  notificado  por  el  Escribauo 
"  de  Gobierno  Don  Juan  de  Robles,  presento  la  lista  de  los  tes- 
"  tigos  vecinos  de  la  Asuncion  que  debian  ser  juramentados  y 
"  examinados  al  tenor  de  los  interrogntorios  del  escrito  que  pre- 
"sentu,  los  cuales  fueron  el  Cajjitan  Don  Juan  de  Espinosa, 
"  Don  Juan  Bautista  Oroiio,  D.  Bartolome  de  Lescano,  D.  Juan 
"  Manuel  Quiiiones  de  Insauralde,  el  Clerigo  Presbitero   Don 


214 

"  Luis  de  Molina  Administrador  y  Vicario  General  de  esta  Pro- 
"  vincia,  y  Don  Diego  Vaiiuelos  conquistador  y  Poblador  tara- 
"  bien  de  estas  Provincias,  a  los  cuales  se  les  recibio  sus  decla- 
"  raciones  juradas  en  actos  distintos  por  el  tenor  del  interroga- 
"  torio  presentado,  resnltando  una  perfecta  uniformidad  en  las 
"  seis  deposiciones,  conf orme  a  la  relacion  siguiente. 

"  Que  de  esta  gobernacion  y  provincia  del  Paraguay  salieron 
"  sus  vecinos  y  moradores  a  poblar  muchas  ciudades  como  f  ueron 
"Santa  Cruz  de  la  Sierra  por  Nuplo  de  Chaves;  Ciudad  Real, 
"  Villa  Rica  del  Espiritu  Santo  y  Provincia  del  Guaira  por  el 
"Capitan  Ruidiaz  3Ielgarejo;  que  la  Ciudad  de  Santa  Fe  ha 
"  sido  poblada  por  el  General  Don  Juan  de  Garay  con  los  propios 
"  vecinos  del  Paraguay,  que  este  mismo  Garay  paso  a  la  repo- 
"  blacion  de  la  Ciudad  y  Puerto  de  la  Santisima  Trinidad  de 
"Buenos  Aires,  habiendolo  acompaiiado  en  otras  jornadas  el 
"  testigo  Don  Juan  de  Espinosa  con  los  vecinos  y  soldados  de  la 
"  Asuncion,  todos  a  su  propia  costa. 

"  Que  la  Ciudad  de  la  Concepcion  de  la  Buena  Esperanza  del 
"  Bermejo  fue  a  poblar  el  Capitan  Alonzo  de  Vera  y  Aragon, 
"  con  los  mismos  vecinos  ynioradores  de  la  Asuncion,  llevaudo 
"  toda  la  provision  necesaria  de  comestibles  y  armamentos,  ii, 
"  costa  de  los  propios  vecinos,  quienes  tambien  proveyeron  de 
"  todo  lo  necesario  al  citado  Capitan  que  encabezaba,  para  sus 
"  gastos  particulares ;  habiendo  del  mismo  modo  acompafiado 
"  a  esta  espedicion  f  undadora  dos  liijos  del  propio  testigo  Es- 
"  pinosa. 

"  Que  la  Ciudad  de  San  Juan  de  Vera  de  las  Corrientes  ha 
"  sido  del  mismo  modo  poblada  por  el  licenciado  Don  Juan  Tor- 
"res  de  Vera,  con  los  vecinos  que  al  efecto  llevaron  de  la  Pro- 
"  vincia  del  Paraguay,  y  que  el  mencionado  testigo  Juan  de 
"  Espinosa  anduvo  en  su  compafiia  en  dicha  poblacion,  y  que 
"  aim  despues  lo  acompaiio  hasta  Buenos  Aires. 

"  El  testigo  Don  Diego  Vanuelos  esplica  mas,  diciendo  que 
"  Santa  Cruz  de  la  Sierra  fue  a  poblar  el  General  Nuplo  de 
"  Chavez,  por  mandato  del  Capitan  Gonzalo  de  Mendoza,  que 
"  en  ese  tiempo  gobernaba  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion. 

"  Que  de  la  Asuncion  salieron  el  General  Don  Juan  de  Garay 
"  con  los  vecinos  y  soldados  necesarios  a  poblar  Santa  Fc,  siendo 


215 

"  en  esa  razon  Teniente  de  Gobernador  el  Capitan  Suarez  Toledo 
"  y  que  el  mismo  Garay  paso  a  poblar  Buenos  Aires. 

"  Que  Juan  Torres  Navarrete  siendo  Gobernador  6  su  Teniente 
"  mando  de  la  Asuncion  al  descubrimiento  del  territorio  del 
"  Chaco  y  reconocimiento  del  Rio  Bermejo,  para  la  poblacion 
"  que  se  proyectaba  en  la  Ciudad  de  la  Concepcion  de  la  Buena 
"  Esperanza. 

"  Que  la  C'iudad  de  Santiago  de  Jerez,  ha  sido  poblada  por  el 
"  Capitan  Ruidiaz  de  Guzman  con  los  veciuos  de  Ciudad  Real  y 
"Villa  Rica  del  Espiritu  Santo  en  la  costa  del  Rio  Yaguary; 
"  que  los  Espaiioles  conocian  y  reconocian  entonces  por  termino 
"  6  liraite  de  las  coronas  de  Espaiia  y  Portugal  y  que  esto  fuc 
"  en  el  aiio  de  1593. 

"  Las  deposiciones  de  los  seis  testigos  nombrados  arriba,  coin- 
"  ciden  perfectamente  entre  si,  con  mas  6  menos  esplicaciones 
"  sobre  las  fundaciones  que  quedan  mencionadas. 

"En  1595,  siendo  Gobernador  Capitan  General  y  Justicia 
"  Mayor  del  Paraguay  y  de  toda  la  gobernacion  del  Rio  de  la 
"  Plata,  Don  Fernando  de  Zarate,  Caballero  del  habito  de  San- 
"  tiago,  y  ausente  temporalmente  en  las  Provincias  del  Peru, 
"nombro  por  su  Teniente  General  de  Gobernador  y  Justicia 
"Mayor  del  Paraguay  y  toda  su  gobernacion  que  se  estendia 
"entonces  hasta  el  Rio  de  la  Plata,  al  Cai:)itan  D.  Bartolome 
"  Sandoval  Ocampos,  que  quedo  en  la  Asuncion  ejerciendo 
"dicho  empleo,  el  cual  informado  de  algunas  necesidades  en 
"  que  se  encontrabau  los  pueblos  de  su  dependencia,  limitrofes 
"  con  las  Provincias  de  la  corona  de  Portugal,  por  el  mes  de 
"  Setiembre  de  dicho  aiio  1595,  paso  ii  visitar  las  provincias  del 
"  Guaira,  Villa  Rica  del  Espiritu  Santo  y  la  Ciudad  de  Santiago 
"  de  Jerez  recien  fundada,  donde  hizo  todo  aquello  que  le  pare- 
"  cia  convenir  al  Real  Servicio  y  al  aumento  y  conservacion  de 
"  dichos  pueblos  y  sus  vecinos;  que  en  seguida  a  fin  de  sofocar 
"  las  invasiones  de  los  Indios  Guaicurus  del  Chaco,  que  hostiliza- 
"  ban  incesauteraente  las  comarcas  inmediatas  de  la  Asuncion, 
"  tuvo  que  pasar  a  la  Concepcion  de  Buena  Esperanza  del  Ber- 
"mejo,  a  sacar  indios  amigos,  alii  reducidos,  para  auxiliar  las 
"  espediciones  que  deterrainaba  al  Chaco;  pero  que  esto  no  tuvo 
"el  exito  que  deseaba  por  el  espiritu  exaltado  en  que  encontro 
"  alii  a  los  indios  de  esas  reducciones," 


216 

Aunque  en  nuestro  archivo  hoy  no  existen  los  documentos 
originales  referentes  a  esta  parte  historica  que  insertamos,  en 
conseeuencia  de  haber  desaparecido  muchos  documentos  a  causa 
de  la  pasada  guerra;  pero  ella  es  Integra  de  iin  trabajo  hecho  en 
el  aiio  63  por  el  Ciudadano  Paraguayo  Don  Jose  Falcon,  Gefe 
del  Archivo  Nacional,  que  jior  autorizacion  del  Gobierno  de  la 
Republica  escribiu  un  compendio  de  nuestra  historia  en  presencia 
de  los  documentos  originales;  y  una  parte  del  trabajo  del  Seiior 
Falcon  se  ha  encontrado  en  el  Archivo  escrita  de  puno  y  letra 
del  mismo;  y  respetando  la  honorabilidad  de  dicho  Seiior  no 
trepidamos  en  hacer  uso  de  su  escrito,  para  demostrar  desde  que 
tiempo  el  Paraguay  ha  tenido  una  ingerencia  directa  en  el  terri- 
torio  del  Chaco,  manteniendo  la  posesion  no  interrumpida  sobre 
el  desde  aquella  data  hasta  la  fecha. 

Por  RealCedula  dada  en  Madrid  el  31  deDiciembre  de  1662, 
cuyo  document o  obra  en  nuestro  Archivo,  consta  que  por  otra 
Real  Cedula  dada  en  1618,  el  Rey  de  Espafia  habia  deliberado 
dividir  el  territorio  paraguayo  que  hasta  enttmces  comprendia 
todo  el  Rio  de  la  Plata,  sefialando  a  Buenos  Aires  desde  la 
Ciudad  de  la  Concepcion  del  Bermejo,  eon  la  de  Corrientes  y 
Santa  Fe,  quedando  al  Paraguay  todo  el  territorio  de  que  es- 
taba  en  posesion  por  sus  conquistas  y  otros  actos  que  le  daban 
el  derecho  de  dominio,  y  que  no  fueron  aplicados  a  Buenos 
Aires  en  esta  separacion,  esto  es  u  la  parte  del  Chaco  desde  el 
Rio  Bermejo  al  Sud. 

La  Real  disposicion  citada  se  llevo  a  efecto  en  el  afio  de  1620 
y  desde  la  epoca  de  la  separacion  de  territorios,  fue  en  deca- 
dencia  la  Ciudad  de  la  Concepcion,  hasta  que  en  1632  la  asola- 
ron  completamente  los  salvajes  del  Chaco,  con  sus  frecuentes 
asaltos,  hasta  destruirla  por  completo,  juntamente  con  las  de- 
mas  reducciones. 

Siendo  Gobernador  del  Paraguay,  Don  Jose  Martinez  Pontes, 
en  1V62,  celebro  tratado  de  paz  con  los  indios  Abipones  del 
Chaco,  y  acordo  con  el  Cacique  Deguachy  establecerle  reduccion 
en  la  costa  del  Rio  Paraguay  htieia  la  parte  del  Chaco  en  el 
parage  denominado  Timbo. 

El  citado  Gobernador,  con  inmensos  sacrificios  y  donatives 
de  los  vecinos,  mandu  inmediatamente  cstablacer  la  reduccion  de 


217 

dichos  infieles,  proporcionandoles  todo  lo  necesario  de  comes- 
tibles y  herramientas  para  trabajar,  peones  que  les  cultivaseii  la 
tierra,  casas  y  una  iglesia  con  la  advocacion  de  Nuestra  Sefiora 
del  Rosario  y  San  Carlos  de  Timbu. 

El  Gobernador  Fontes  determino  dar  euenta  al  Rey  de  Es- 
pafia,  corao  lo  hizo,  segun  consta  en  el  documento  relativo  de 
20  de  Marzo  de  1763,  y  en  este  importante  documento  de  la 
nueva  reduccion,  entre  otras  cosas  dice  las  significativas  y  tes- 
tuales  palabras  que  siguen  :  "  Y  en  esta  atencion,  en  cousecuen- 
"  cia  de  lo  que  sobre  las  nuevas  reducciones  disponen  las 
"  leyes  de  Indias,  en  nombre  de  Su  Magestad,  declara  a  dicha 
"  nueva  Reduccion  de  Indios  Abipones  y  otros  de  otras  Nacio- 
"  nes  que  a  ella  se  agreguen,  j^or  incorjjorada  a  su  Real  Co- 
"rona,  juntamente  con  todas  las  demas  que  de  esa  y  otras  na- 
"  clones  vecinas  del  Chaco  se  formaren  dentro  de  esta  Proviucia 
"  a  una  y  otra  banda  del  Rio  Paraguay." 

Constan  por  Cedula  de  Su  Magestad  el  Rey  de  Espana  de 
1764  y  1769  las  aprobaciones  de  lo  resuelto  en  el  documento 
anterior,  citada  y  transcripta  una  parte. 

La  Reduccion  del  Timbo,  si  bien  despues  de  algunos  aiios, 
quedo  otra  vez  sin  efecto,  en  razon  de  que  los  indios  volvieron 
a  retirarse  a  sus  guaridas  ;  pero,  sin  embargo,  los  trabajos  y 
sacrificios  que  liiciera  el  Gobieruo  y  veciuos  de  la  Provincia  del 
Paraguay,  ya  quedaban  subsistentes  para  ante  la  historia,  y  los 
documentos  que  justifican  estos  los  tenemos  a  la  vista,  y  pro- 
bart'mos  en  cualqmer  caso  necesario  lo  que  decimos  por  medio  de 
los  mismos  documentos  a  que  nos  remitimos. 

Posteriormente  en  1772,  Don  Agustin  Fernandez  de  Pinedo 
desde  su  arribo  al  Gobierno  de  la  Provincia  del  Paraguay,  se 
ocupo  de  acordar  con  los  indios  del  Cliaco  tratados  de  paz,  rea- 
lizando  en  efecto  de  establecerles  una  reduccion  formal  en  el 
parage  denominado  "  Remolinos  "  a  la  parte  del  Cliaco  frente  a 
poca  distancia  de  la  poblacion  de  este  nombre,  que  es  hoy  Vi- 
lla Franca.  Este  acuerdo  f ue  con  los  indios  llamados  "  Mbo- 
cobis"  y  les  proporciono  casas,  doctrineros,  los  que  fueron  Fray 
Ramon  Alvarez,  Fray  Justo  Fleitas  y  otros  ;  asi  como  una 
iglesia  con  la  advocacion  de  San  Francisco  Solano. 

Esta   poblacion  que  tuvo  principio  en  el  alio  1776,  no  tuvo  el 


218 

c'xito  fie  tii-meza,  hasta  que  despues  de  la  venida  de  D.  Pedro 
Melo  de  Portugal  a  ocupar  el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay,  se  tomo 
el  interes  de  fomentar  y  realizar  en  el  ano  de  17*78,  segun  se 
acredita  con  los  documentos  de  la  referenda  de  6  de  Marzo,  25 
de  Mayo  de  1778  y  2  de  Julio  de  1779. 

Esta  reduccion  fue  la  que  mas  sacrificios  pecuniarios  ha  cos- 
tado  a  los  paraguayos  para  soslenerla,  y  no  obstante  los  conti- 
nuos  disturbios  y  sublevaciones  de  los  indios,  permanecio  hasta 
el  Gobierno  del  Dictador  Francia. 

Continuando  el  Gobernador  del  Paraguay  Don  Pedro  Melo 
de  Portugal  con  el  empeiio  de  poblar  el  Chaco  Paraguayo  en 
1782,  fundo  otra  reduccion  de  indios  Tobas  del  Chaco,  en  el  par- 
tido  de  San  Antonio  costa  abajo,  a  la  parte  del  Chaco,  funda- 
cion  que  llevo  a  efecto  a  pedido  de  los  indios  que  manifestaron 
con  instanciaeldeseo  de  que  se  les  fundara  dicha  reduccion  para 
poder  ser  instruidos  en  la  religion  cristiana.  Este  establecimien- 
to,  como  los  demas,  fue  formado  y  proveido  de  lo  necesario 
con  ausilios  y  donatives  del  vecindario,  y  mediante  tales  esf  uerzos 
[)ropios  de  los  paraguyos,  se  consiguio  hasta  el  establecimiento 
de  una  estancia  de  ganado  para  sustento  de  los  indios,  casas, 
Iglesia  y  Doctnnero  catequista  que  lo  fue  el  Padre  Fray  Antonio 
Bogarin  ;  cuya  fundacion  consta  en  los  documentos  que  obran 
en  nuesti'o  archivo  con  datas  de  9  de  Febrero,  12  de  Junio  y  6 
de  Agosto  del  citado  aiio  1782. 

Otra  poblacion  6  reduccion  se  fundo  despues  por  los  paragua- 
yos en  la  parte  del  Chaco,  en  el  lugar  denominado  "Naranjay  " 
en  la  que  el  mismo  Sacerdote  Bogarin  sirvio  de  cura  catequista; 
y  aiin<|ue  los  indios  abandonaron  la  poblacion  en  1790  sin  mas 
motivo  que  el  de  la  inconstancia  al  trabajo,  volvieron  posterior- 
mente  a  hi  reduccion  el  siguiente  aiio  1791,  siendo  en  tal  epoca 
(Jobernador  Intendente  del  Paraguay  Don  Joquin  Aloz.  La 
Reduccion  siguio  hasta  algunos  afios  bajo  inmensos  sacrificios 
de  los  vecinos,  pero  h  pesar  de  esto,  los  dichos  indios  volvieron 
:"i  retirarse  al  interior  del  Chaco. 

En  frente  de  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion,  el  vecino  de  ella, 
Asensio  Flecha  y  poblador  antiguo  del  Chaco  mantuvo  en  el  por 
niuchos  anos  estabk-cimientos  de  haciendas  rurales  y  de  agricul- 
tura;  (juien,  con  el  findeatraer  a  los  indios  guaicurus,  busco  por 


219 

todos  los  medios  posibles,  empleando  mucha  parte  de  sus  intere- 
ses  para  «se  fin. 

El  Clerigo  paraguayo  y  catequista  Don  Francisco  Araancio 
Gonzales,  cura  del  Pueblo  de  Emboscada,  con  el  aixsilio  y  un 
corto  donativo  del  vecindario,  establecio  a  su  propia  costa  una 
grande  reduccion  en  el  Chaco,  en  el  parage  denominado  "Re- 
molinos  "  donde  hoy  esta  poblada  la  primera  Villa  Occidental 
con  los  indios  de  diferentes  tribus  que  fueron  Lenguas,  Cocolos, 
Machicnis,  Enimagas,  Cochabotes,  Pitilagas  y  Tobas  ;  a  cuyas 
Tribus,  desde  el  ano  1786,  el  Padre  Gonzales,  con  su  generosidad 
y  perseverancia  los  ha  atraido,  y  consiguio  levantar  la  pobla- 
cion  y  perfeccion  la  reduccion  por  muchos  alios,  agotando  en  tan 
importante  empresa  su  pingue  patrimonio  ;  asi  consta  en  docu- 
mentos  legales  que  hemos  tenido  a  la  vista. 

A  parte  de  las  poblaciones  6  reducciones  que  el  Paraguay 
fundaba  y  costeaba  en  su  territorio  del  Chaco,  empleando  toda 
clase  de  sacrificios  y  gastos  contribuidos  por  los  inismos  para- 
guayos,  manteniendo  asi  la  efectividad  de  dorainio  sobre  dicho 
territorio,  en  el  ailo  de  1792  siendo  Gobernador  Don  Joaquin  de 
Alnz  determine)  establecer  una  fortalezaen  la  frontera  del  Norte, 
territorio  paraguayo,  no  tan  solamente  para  vigilar  y  contener 
cualqiiier  avance  6  usurpacion  del  territorio,  sino  tambien  para 
demarcar  con  un  monumento  que  la  derecha  del  Rio  Paraguay 
perteneeia  a,  esta  Provincia  de  JiecJto  y  dederecho. 

Consecuente  con  tan  importante  y  necesario  fin,  se  dcspacho 
con  gente  y  todo  lo  preciso  al  Comandante  Don  Jose  Antonio 
Zavala  y  Delgadillo,  quien  dispuso  los  trabajos  y  luego  planteo 
el  Fuerte  de  Borbon,  hoy  Olimpo,  a  la  dercha  del  Rio  Paraguay 
en  el  lugar  de  los  Cerros  "  Tres  Hermanos  "  poco  mas  abajo  de 
la  embocadura  del  Rio  Blanco,  y  que  en  ese  rnismo  aiio  qiiedo 
concluido  y  ocupado  por  la  guarnicion  paraguaya,  sin  que  en 
ninguna  epoca,  antes  ni  despues  de  la  independencia  del  Para- 
guay, ni  el  Gobierno  de  Buenos  Aires,  ni  cualquiera  otra 
nacion  6  Potencia  hayan  hecho  mencion  alguna  sobre  tal  ocu- 
pacion  militar,  y  esta  existencia  de  fortaleza  que  tiene  la  con- 
dicion  y  circunstancia  de  una  plaza  militar,  formada  y  mante- 
nida  por  la  Republica  del  Paraguay,  en  la  raargen  derecha  del 
Riodelraismanombre,  sin  contradiccion  de  ningun  otro  Gobier- 


220 

no,  constituye  y  prueba  el  derecho  <le  soberania  y  dominio 
que  tenemos  sobre  el  territorio  del  Chaco. 

El  Paraguay,  a  mas  de  los  trabajos  y  gastos  que  tuvo ,  d« 
plantear  a  su  propia  costa  las  poblaciones  y  fortificaciones  en 
su  territorio  del  Chaco,  no  le  fueron  menos  costosas  las  espe- 
diciones  que  se  mandaron  ef  ectuar  a  espensas  de  los  mismos  ve- 
cinos,  conao  ser  cuaiido  la  espedicion  esploradora  del  Rio  Pil 
comayo  por  los  Padres  Jesuitas  Patiiio  y  Niebla  en  1721,  con 
dos  embarcaciones  hasta  distancia  de  mas  de  doscientas  leguas. 

Otro  en  el  viage  que  hizo  en  1740  el  Coronel  Don  Jose  Espino- 
la  para  cruzar  y  reconocer  el  interior  del  Chaco,  con  una  gruesa 
comitiva  hasta  salir  a  la  Provincia  de  Salta,  como  lo  verifico, 
volviendo  a  cruzar  y  reconocer  a  su  regreso  por  distintos  lu- 
gares  ese  territorio  con  un  diario  minucioso  de  su  viage. 

Estas  importantes  espedicion es  que  costeo  el  Paraguay  no 
pueden  ser  desconocidas  hoy  por  la  Republica  Argentina, 
puesto  que  en  sus  archives  debe  haber  los  documentos  com- 
petentes  asi  como  existen  en  los  nuestros  ;  y  por  lo  mismo 
escusamos  aun  enumerar  otros  hechos  analogos. 

Despues  que  desaparecio  el  Gobierno  Colonial,  y  que  el 
Paraguay  se  declaro  independiente  y  que  fue  reconocida  su 
soberania  por  el  Gobierno  Argentino  y  otros  de  America  y- 
Europa,  es  natural  y  legitimo  que  adquiriese  de  hecho  y  de 
derecho  el  dominio  sobre  todos  los  territorios  que  correspon- 
dian  a  la  Provincia  antes  de  la  Independencia. 

De  conformidad  con  el  derecho  que  invocamos,  la  Republica 
del  Paraguay  continue  ejerciendo  su  dominio  sobre  el  Chaco; 
pues  a  mas  de  mantener  el  fuerte  de  Olimpo  coustantemente  con 
fuerzas  militares,  mantuvo  tambien  otras  en  el  Chaco  en  los 
parages  denominados  Formoso,  Orange,  Monte  Claro  y  Santa 
Elena.  P^stos  establecimientos,  con  fuerzas  militares,  fueron 
formados  y  sostenidos  por  el  Gobemo  del  Dictador  Francia,  y 
se  comprueban  estos  con  documentos  oficiales  6  corresponden- 
cias  del  mismo  Francia  y  sus  respectivos  Comandantes. 

Don  Carlos  Antonio  Lopez,  primer  Presidente  de  la  Repti- 
blica,  continue  manteniendo  fuerzas  en  el  Chaco  paraguayo  en 
todos  los  pmitos  yii  indicados,  y  mando  formar  nuevos  estable- 
cimientos rurales  y  obrajes  de  materiales.     Uno  de  estos  esta- 


221 

blecimientos  se  f ormo  f rente  a  la  Asuncion,  y  tuvo  ultimamente 
una  numerosa  poblacion:  y  tarabien  se  manclu  erigir  una 
Iglesia  con  la  advocacion  de  San  Venaucio. 

Posteriomente,  en  el  ano  1854,  en  tierapo  del  Gobierno  del 
mismo  Presidente,  se  eslablecio  la  colonia  de  "  NuevaBurdeos,''' 
hoy  Villa  Occidental,  cuya  fundacion  de  Colonia  se  hizo  con 
ingentes  sumas  de  la  renta  de  la  Nacion,  y  aun  que  los  colonos, 
por  circunstancias  que  no  fueron  de  culpa  nuestra,  abandonaron 
la  poblacion,  ella  se  llevo  a  efecto  con  jDobladores  de  los  hijos 
del  pais;  resultando  en  consecuencia  que  el  Paraguay  en  su 
territorio  del  Chaco,  despues  de  muchos  aiios  de  su  independen- 
cia,  a  raas  de  tantos  actos  del  uso  de  posesion  que  ejercia,  coin- 
plemento  todos  los  requisitos  relativos  de  su  soberania  y 
dominio  en  esa  parte  del  Chaco;  puesto  que  la  Villa  Occiden- 
tal, costeada  por  el  tesoro  de  la  Nacion,  poblada  y  conservada 
consiguientemente  por  los  hijos  del  pais,  sin  que  el  Gobierno 
Argentino  hubiera  hecho  rej^aro  ni  oposicion  alguna,  es  una 
prueba  concluyente  que  no  tenia  derecho  al  Chaco  paraguayo; 
y  este  estado  de  cosas  existe  hasta  la  fecha  presente,  por  que  la 
ocupacion  de  la  Villa  Occidental  por  fuerzas  Argentinas  en  la 
actualidad,  no  tiene  otro  caracter  legal,  sine  lo  convenido  en  el 
acuerdo  prelirainar  de  paz  de  20  de  Junio  de  1870. 

Resulta  y  se  deduce  de  todo  lo  espuesto,  que  el  territorio  del 
Chaco,  desde  el  Berraejo  hasta  la  Bahia  Negra,  siempre  fue  ocu- 
pado  por  el  Paraguay,  yk  fonnaudo  reducciones  formales,  asi 
corao  planteando  fortificaciones  y  manteniendo  en  ellas  fuerzas 
n-iilitares,  antes  y  despues  de  la  independencia,  sin  que  la  Mepi'c- 
blica  Argentina^  como  yd  se  ha  dicho,  hayo  hecho  jamas  reparo 
alguno. 

La  fundacion  de  la  Colonia  "  Nueva  Burdeos  "  y  consiguien- 
temente, (por  haber  quedado  sin  efecto  la  colonia)  la  misma 
poblacion  fue  reducida  a  una  Villa  formal  con  pobladores  de 
los  hijos  del  pais,  en  epoca  en  que  el  Paraguay  estaba  en  directa 
comunicacion  con  la  Repuhlica  Argentina  sin  haber  por  esa 
parte  observacion  y  raenos  contradiccion  alguna,  constituyen, 
en  tales  circunstancias  a  mas  de  otras,  el  incuestionable  derecho 
que  tiene  la  Repdblica  del  Paraguay  sobre  el  territorio  que  la 
Argentina  sin  razon  ni  derecho  pretende  disputar,  sin  mastitnlos 


222 

que  el  Tratado  de  Aliaiiza  del  aiio  1865,  cuyo  tratado,  con  res- 
pecto  d  la  designacion  de  Imiites,  ha  qiiedado  sin  efecto;  y  por 
consecuencia  el  Gobierno  del  Imperio  del  Brasil,  al  celebrar  su 
tratado  con  la  Republica  del  Paraguay  sobre  limites,  admitio 
la  discusion  sin  distincion,  desentendiendose  del  tratado  de 
Allan  za. 

Buenos  Aires  por  haber  sido,  antes  de  la  independencia,  ca- 
pital del  Vireynato  del  Rio  de  la  Plata,  no  podia  ser  el  arbitro  de 
declarar  limites  a  ninguna  otra  Provincia  de  su  mismo  origen, 
que  por  la  voluntad  soberana  del  pueblo  se  ha  declarado  tam- 
bien  independiente  para  gobernarse  y  depender  de  si  misma, 
como  lo  hizo  el  Paraguay,  que  no  tan  solamente  se  declaro 
independiente  del  Gobierno  de  Espaiia  sino  tambien  del  de 
Buenos  Aires,  derivandose  por  este  hecho  todos  los  dominios 
que  tenia  cuando  dependia  de  la  Corona  del  Monarca  de  Es- 
paiia. 

El  territorio  del  Chaco  Paraguayo,  en  consideracion  de  que 
nunca  ha  sido  abandonado  por  nuestros  Gobiernos,  ni  antes  ni 
despues  de  la  independencia,  no  se  puede  decir  que  constituye 
un  limite  vago,  como  pretende  hacer  aparecer  el  Sefior  Ple- 
nipotenciario  Argentino,  y  por  consiguiente  mucho  menos  la 
Repfiblica  Argentina  podni  pretender  adquirir  dominio  sobre 
ese  territorio,  invocando  el  patrimonio  de  la  comunidad  politica 
que  tonio  la  denominacion  de  Provincias  Unidas  del  Rio  de  la 
Plata. 

La  accion  que  se  ha  dado  a  la  Republica  del  Paraguay  por 
la  Alianza  en  el  Acuerdo  Preliminar  de  Paz,  fue  en  reconoci- 
miento  y  en  obediencia  al  mismo  principio  de  derecho  inter- 
nacional,  y  por  una  consecuencia  logica  del  mismo  Tratado  de 
Triple  Alianza  que  decia  no  traer  la  guerra  al  Paraguay  sino  al 
Gobierno  del  Mariscal  Lopez. 

Habiendo  desaparecido  el  mismo  Mariscal  Lopez,  la  Alianza 
por  este  heclio,  ha  celebrado  el  precitado  Acuerdo  preliminar 
de  paz,  con  la  clausula  terminante  de  dejar  a  la  Republica  del 
l*araguay  la  Ubertad  y  el  derecho  de  proponer  lo  que  d  stt  i7iteres 
juzgdre  convenir  y  muy  prixcipamiente  sobre  limites  rela- 
Tivos  AL  TERRITORIO  DEL  CHACO,  no  qucda  uiuguna  duda  sobre 
el  particular  que  otra  disposicion  ulterior  de  cualquiera  de  los 


223 

Aliados  pueda  tener  efecto  legal,  si  se  tratara  de  restringir  a  la 
Republica  del  Paraguay  el  derecho  que  se  le  ha  otorgado.  De 
suerte  que  la  Republica  Argentina  que  no  acepto  la  linea  del 
Pilcomayo  por  transaccion  amistosa,  no  podia  poner  fuera  de 
cuestion  la  fraccion  entre  el  Bermejo  y  Pilcomayo. 

El  principal  objeto  del  Tratado  de  la  Alianza  de  1°  de 
Mayo  de  1865,  ha  sido  traer  la  guerra  contra  el  Gobierno  del 
Mariscal  Lopez,  hasta  derrocarlo,  pero  no  contra  el  pueblo  Pa- 
raguayo;  el  Gobierno  Provisorio  de  la  Republica,  en  el  Acuerdo 
Preliminar  de  Paz  reconocio  y  acepto  dicho  tratado  en  el  fondo, 
es  decir  sobre  el  principal  objeto  que  tuvo  la  Alianza  en  lo  rela- 
tivo  contra  el  Gobierno  del  Mariscal  Lopez:  asi  es  que  de  la  cir- 
cunstancia  que  media  en  ese  mismo  Acuerdo,  en  que  se  dio  al 
Paraguay  el  derecho  de  proponer  modificaciones  al  referido  Tra- 
tado en  el  interes  de  la  Republica,  resulta  quedar  las  cuestiones 
de  limites  como  estaban  antes  de  la  guerra. 

Sin  embargo  de  los  fundamentos  espuestos  que  amparan  a  la 
Republica  del  Paraguay,  ella  esta  dispuesta  a  aceptar  el  fallo 
arbitral  desde  el  Bermejo  hasta  la  Bahia  Negra,  6  en  merito 
del  intimo  deseo  de  hacer  la  paz  con  la  Argentina  transar  amis- 
tosamente  quedando  por  linea  divisoria  el  Rio  Pilcomayo,  sal- 
vando  los  derechos  de  Bolivia  en  uno  y  otro  caso. 

Con  respecto  al  dominio  del  Paraguay  sobre  el  Chaco,  se  es- 
tiende  aim  hasta  el  Sud  del  Rio  Bermejo,  por  que  si  bien  el  Rey 
de  Espaiia  por  Real  Cedula  de  1617,  ordeno  la^eparacion  de  la 
Provincia  del  Paraguay  de  las  del  Rio  de  la  Plata,  adjudicando 
a  la  Gobernacion  General  de  ellos  la  Ciudad  de  la  Concepcion 
de  la  Buena  Esperanza,  esta  desaparecio  en  breve  tiempo;  y  con- 
siguientemente  como  ya  se  ha  relacionado,  el  Paraguay  volvio 
a  poblar  en  Timbo,  lo  que  obtuvo  despues  laaprobacion  del  Rey 
de  Espaiia,  de  suerte  que  con  razon  podrti  el  Paraguay  alegar 
sus  derechos  desde  la  margen  derecha  del  Bermejo,  por  que 
volvio  a  poseer  despues  de  la  citada  disposicion  del  aiio  1617  y 
por  lo  mismo  la  obra  del  Padre  Bautista  que  cito  el  Seiior  Pleni- 
potenciario  Argentino  no  puede  servir  de  prueba,  puesto  que 
se  refiere  a  una  disposicion  que  tuvo  modificacion. 

El  Paraguay,  a  mas  de  la  reduccion  que  volvio  a  fundar  en 
Timbo,  continue  despues  fundando  otras  segun  ya  hemos  enume- 


224 

nido  con  el  esclareeiiniento  necesario:  En  consideracion  de 
las  posesiones  que  mantenia  sin  interrupcion  el  Paraguay  en  su 
territorio  del  Chaco,  no  tiene  ni  puede  tener  el  sello,  de  la  ver- 
dad  la  "  Memoria  Historica  y  Geografica  "  (M.  S.)  de  Azara 
que  el  Seiior  Ministro  Argentino  citu  en  su  Memorandum  siendo 
el  parrafo  citado  del  tenor  siguiente:  "que  el  limite  del  Para- 
"  guay  per  el  Occidente  es  el  mismo  Rio  Paraguay  por  no  tener 
"  posesiones  en  el  Chaco." 

El  mismo  Seilor  Ministro  dice  que  dicha  "  Memoria  "  fue  es- 
crita  en  1793;  y  j)or  tauto  es  estraiio  que  el  autor  haya  dicho 
que  el  Paraguay  no  tenia  posesiones  en  el  Chaco  sin  caer  en  un 
grave  error,  atendiendo  a  las  posesiones  que  tuvo  el  Paraguay 
en  el  Chaco  desde  muchos  aiios  antes  de  1793. 

Las  correspondencias  oficiales  cambiadas  en  el  aiio  1812  entre 
la  Junta  Gubernativa  del  Paraguay  y  la  de  las  Provincias  del 
Rio  de  la  Plata,  no  demuestran  nada  en  contra  del  Paraguay 
sobre  limites;  todas  ellas  son  relativas  a  tener  datos  del  centro 
del  territorio  del  Chaco,  pbr  que  en  ese  tiempo  los  Gobiernos  de 
uno  y  otro  Estado  se  encontraban  bajo  la  mejor  ai-monia,  y  por 
este  principio  se  coraprende  que  intentaron  abrir  caminos  en  el 
Chaco  y  hacer  otros  trabajos,  y  como  Buenos  Aires  nada  podia 
mover  sin  el  concurso  y  asentimiento  del  Paraguay,  atento  a 
que,  bajo  el  dominino  de  este  estaba  una  parte  del  Chaco,  era 
natural  pedir  al  Gobierno  del  mismo  los  informes  que  interesa- 
sen  sobre  el  particular  y  el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay,  al  dar  los 
informes  solicitados,  no  era  por  reconocer  ni  implicitamente  el 
derecho  jurisdiccional  del  de  Buenos  Aires,  sinu  atendiendo  a 
la  amistad  y  conveniencias  reciprocas  entre  Estados  circunve- 
cinos  y  hermanos,  a  quien  siempre,  desde  los  priraeros  dias  de  la 
independencia,  no  ha  cesado  de  dar  las  pruebas  mas  concluyentes 
de  buena  amistad. 

El  Seiior  Plenipotenciario  Argentino  en  su  Memorandum,  al 
hacer  mcncion  de  dichas  correspondencias  oficiales,  pretende 
deducir  (jue  ellas  importan  implicitamente  el  reconocimiento  del 
derecho  jurisdiccional  que  tiene  Buenos  Aires  sobre  el  Chaco; 
y  con  eso  darle  la  circunstancia  de  que  el  Paraguay  declara  no 
tener  dominio  en  esa  region. 

llemos  tenido  ;i  la  vista  las  mencionadas  correspondencias  y 


225 

de  ning'una  de  ellas  so  puede  deducir,  que  eii  virtiid  de  las 
mismas  haya  el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  reconocido  ni  implicita- 
mente  el  derecho  jurisdiccional  de  Buenos  Aires  sobre  el  Chaco 
Paraguayo,  ni  mucho  menos  declarar  que  no  tenia  (el  Paraguay) 
dominio  en  esa  region. 

Lo  que  si  se  prueba  con  dichas  correspondencias  son  los  sacri- 
ficios  y  gastos  que  el  Paraguay  ha  tenido  para  continuar  la 
posesion  sobre  su  territorio  del  Chaco. 

Dui-ante  el  Gobierno  del  Dictador  Francia  siguio  manteniendo 
el  Paraguay  la  posesion  y  dominio  que  de  hecho  y  de  derecho 
tenia  sobre  el  Chaco,  conservando  en  diferentes  puntos 
fuerzas  militares  que  importan  la  soberania  que  ejercia  en  esa 
region. 

El  Seilor  Plenipotenciario  Argentino  al  ref  erirse  en  su  Memo- 
randum, al  tiempo  del  Gobierno  del  Dictador  Francia,  dice: 
que  el  Paraguay  en  aquella  epoca  solamente  tenia  guardias  a  la 
derecha  del  Rio  de  este  nombre  sin  adelaiitar  ninguna  pobla- 
cion;  pero,  si  en  aquel  tiempo  no  heraos  adelantado  en  pobla- 
ciones  en  el  Chaco,  esto  no  debe  borrar  nuestro  legitimo  dere- 
cho, puesto  que  la  posesion  siempre  se  ha  mautenido. 

La  descripcion  historica  del  Pai'aguay  escrita  por  Moi'las  que 
tambien  menciono  el  Senor  Ministro  Argentino,  nada  ilustra  la 
cuestion.  El  testo  que  citu  es  el  siguiente:  "  Por  el  Occidente 
"la  Republica  del  Paraguay  no  tiene  limites,  pudiendo  tenerse 
"  como  limite  el  Rio  Paraguay;  por  carecer  hasta  entonces  de 
"posesiones  en  el  Chj\co." 

El  testo  inserto  de  la  descripcion  historica  de  Morlas,  como 
bemos  dicho,  nada  ilustra,  priraero  por  que  dice,  que  el  Paraguay 
al  Occidente  no  tiene  lindes,  luego  entonces  no  pudo-  decir  que 
pueda  tenerse  [^por  limite  el  Rio  Paraguay,  y  mucho  mas  bajo, 
el  error  de  que  no  tenia  posesiones  en  el  Chaco;  siendo  a  todas 
luces  las  posesiones  que  habia  mantenido  sin  interrupcion  el 
Paraguay  en  aquel  territorio. 

El  Presidente  Don  Carlos  Antonio  Lopez  continue  soste- 
niendo  la  soberania  sobre  el  territorio  del  Chaco,  muy  principal- 
mente  desde  la  raargen  izquierda  del  Bermejo. 

En  el  afio  1854  a  mas  de  la  continuacion  de  todas  las  pose- 
siones militares  que   ya  hemos   mencionado,    establecio  en  el 


226 

Chaco,  establecimienios  de  estancias,  obrages  cle  materiales,  la 
Iglesia  de  San  Venancio  frente  a  la  Asuncion,  la  Colonia  de 
"  Nueva  Burdeos "  hoy  Villa  Occidental,  cuya  poblacion  fue 
anmentada  con  hijos  del  pais  y  que  nunca  se  ha  abandonado 
sino  cuando  a  consecuencia  de  la  guerra,  el  Mariscal  Lopez 
mando  desocuparla  a  la  par  de  otros  pueblos  como  la  misma 
^  Capital. 

Durante  los  aiios  de  los  mismos  Gobiernos  de  Francia  y  Lo- 
pez, la  Republica  Argentina,  repetimos,  Jar/ias  ha  hec/io  objecion 
sobre  el dominio  que  el  Paraguay  ejercia  sobre  el  Chaco,  y  mucho 
menos  exhibido  t'ttxdos  de  ese  territorio,  como  ?io  lo  hace  hasta  la 
fecha  presente  ;  y  se  concreta  a  pretender  ser  el  unico  acreedor 
de  los  dominios  que  han  estado  bajo  el  poder  del  Rey  de  Es- , 
pana,  intentando  niuy  principalmente  poner  al  Paraguay  en  la 
condicion  de  un  espureo,  y  en  consecuencia,  fuera  de  todo  de- 
reclio  que  han  invocado  otros  pueblos  del  mismo  origen  para 
adquirir  y  poseer  los  dominios  que  les  han  correspondido  en  los 
tieinpos  que  estuvieron  bajo  la  Metropoli  espanola. 

Con  tal  objeto  inventa  (aunque  sin  valor  alguuo)  varias  ar- 
guraentaciones  hasta  desconocidas  en  el  principio  del  derecho 
internacional,  sacrificando  las  conveuiencias  reciprocas  que  co- 
mo hermanos  de  origen  y  Estados  circunvecinos  se  debe  de  mi- 
rar  para  toda  clase  de  garantia  internacional  de  ambos  Esta- 
dos. 

Tanto  en  la  cuestion  sobre  Misiones  cuanto  sobre  la  del  Cha- 
co, se  nos  dice  como  ultimo  resultado,  que  los  limites  del  Para- 
guay fueron  resueltos  por  el  Congreso  Ai-gentino  ;  y  que  el 
Paraguay,  no  habiendo  tornado  parte  en  la  independencia,  no 
podia  considerarse  como  heredero  del  Monarca  Espailol. 

Ambas  aserciones  no  son  ciertas  y,  aunque  lo  fuesen,  carecen 
de  todo  y  cualquier  principio  fundamental  para  tener  valor  y 
fuerza  que  pueda  servir  de  base  en  la  presente  cuestion,  por  que 
si  la  deliberacion  del  Congreso  de  las  Proviucias  Unidas  del  Rio 
de  la  Plata  hubiera  de  tener  ef  ecto  legal,  no  pudo  perraanecer 
el  Gobierno  Argentino  mas  de  medio  siglo  sin  poner  en  practica 
tal  deliberacion  ;  y  si  el  Paraguay,  por  no  haber  tomado  parte 
en  la  independencia,  tuviera  que  ser  escluido  de  los  derechos 
del  Monarca  Espanol,  resultaria  que  ni  el  distrito  de  la  Asun- 
cion podria  eer  de  su  pertenencia. 


227 

Pero  concluyamos  con  tales  hipotesis  que  nos  ha  obligado  ii 
detenernos  y  pasemos  a  consignar  las  razones  que  asisten  al 
Paraguay  en  el  terreno  de  la  legalidad. 

La  Republica  Argentina  no  puede  culpar  a  la  del  Paraguay 
sobre  la  actitud  que  esta  ha  tornado  en  los  primeros  momentos 
de  la  independencia  ;  que  lo  culpe  al  Gobierno  de  Buenos  Aires 
de  aquel  tiempo. 

La  Junta  Gubernatiya  de  Buenos  Aires,  al  tiempo  que  se  agi- 
to  la  independencia,  obr(S  con  el  Paraguay  sin  la  sinceri- 
dad  que  debia  guardar,  y  el  Paraguay  que  se  habia  dispertado 
tambien  coino  otros  pueblos  no  pudo  cambiar  un  yugo  por 
otro. 

Esto  decimos  con  bastante  fundamento,  por  que  en  aquellos 
tiempos,  el  Gobierno  de  Buenos  Aires,  bajo  la  bandera  de  la 
libertad  quiso  subyugar  al  Paraguay  que  tenia  el  mismo  dere- 
cho  de  constituirse  libre  e  independieute  para  pertenecer  a  si 
misma,  segun  la  espresiou  y  soberana  yoluntad  del  pueblo. 

En  prueba  de  lo  que  decimos,  yamos  a  insertar  un  parrafo  de 
una  nota  que  el  General  Belgrano,  despues  de  su  derrota  en 
Paraguari  dirijio  al  Gobierno  de  Buenos  Aii-es,  y  es  el  siguien- 
te  :  "  V.  E.  se  convencera  de  cuanto  le  he  referido,  que  es  de 
"  precision  decretar  la  conquista  del  Paraguay  para  que  S.  M. 
"  D.  Fernando  VII  no  pierda.  Dios  guarde  a  V.  E.  muchos 
"  anos.  Campamento  al  Sud  del  Tebicuari  en  el  Paso  de  Dona 
"  Lorenza,  24  de  Enero  de  1811.     Manuel  Belgrano." 

En  yista  de  lo  que  se  desprende  del  parrafo  transcripto  de  la 
nota  del  General  Belgrano,  se  pone  en  descubierto  la  mas  refi- 
nada  hipocresia  del  Gobierno  de  Buenos  Aires  para  con  el  Para- 
gaay  en  aquel  tiempo  :  en  consecuencia  ninguna  inculpacion  en 
la  presente  epoca  puede  recaerle. 

El  Paraguay  en  conocimiento  de  la  trama  que  se  le  habia  ur- 
dido,  su  nuevo  gobierno  por  nota  de  20  de  Julio  de  1811  que 
dirijiu  aide  Buenos  Aires  en  unos  parrafos  dice  lo  siguiente  : 
"  Al  fin  las  cosas  de  la  Provincia  llegaron  a  tal  estado  que  fue 
"  preciso  que  ella  se  resolyiese  seriamente  a  recobrar  sus  dere- 
"  chos  usurpados  para  salir  de  la  antigua  opresion  en  que  se 
"  mantenia  agravada  con  nueyos  males  de  un  regimen  sin  con- 
"  cierto,  y  para  ponerse  al  mismo  tiempo  a  cubierto  del  rigor  de 


228 

""INA    XIEVA    ESCLAVIXrD    DE    QUE    SE    SENTIA  AMENAZADA,      .    . 

"  Este  ha  sido  el  niodo  como  ella  por  si  misma  y  a  esfuerzos  de 
"  su  propia  resolucion  se  ha  constituido  en  libertad  y  en  el  ple- 
"  no  goce  de  sus  derechos  ;  pero  se  enganara  cualquiera  que 
"  llegase  a  iraaginar  que  su  intencion  habia  sido  entregarse  al 
"  arbitrioageno  y  hacer  dependiente  su  suertede  otra  voluntad. 
"  En  tal  caso  nada  mas  habria  adelantado  ni  reportado  otro  fru- 
"  to  de  su  sacrificio  que  el  cambiar  unas  cadenas  por  otras,  y 
*'  mudar  de  amo.  V.  E.,  ni  ningun  apreciador  justo  y  equita- 
"  tivo,  estranara  que  en  el  estado  a  que  han  llegado  los  negocios 
"  de  la  Nacion  sin  poderse  aun  divisar  el  exito  que  pueden 
"  tener,  el  Pueblo  del  Paraguay  se  rauestre  celoso  de  su  nacien- 
"  te  libertad,  despues  que  ha  tenido  valor  para  recobrada.  Sabe 
"  muy  bien  que  si  la  libertad  puede  a  veces  adqi;irirse  6  con- 
"  quistarse,  una  vez  j^erdida  no  es  igualmente  facil  volver  a  re- 
"  cuperarla.  Ni  esto  es  recelar  que  V.  E.  sea  capaz  de  abrigar 
"  en  su  corazon  intenciones  menos  justas,  menos  rectas  y  equi- 
"  tativas;  muy  lejos  de  esto,  cuando  la  Provincia  no  hace  mas 
"  que  sostener  su  libertad  y  sus  derechos,  se  lisongea  esta  Jun- 
"  ta  que  Y.  E.  aplaudira  estos  nobles  sentimentos  considerando 
"  cuanto  en  favor  de  nuestra  causa  comun  puede  esperarse  de 
"  un  pueblo  grande  que  piensa  y  habla  con  esta  franqueza  y 
"  magnanimidad." 

A  la  vista  de  la  transcripcion  que  hacemos  de  tan  patetico 
documento  ;  se  podra  decir  que  el  Paraguay  no  es  acreedor  de 
los  derechos  que  otros  Estados  ban  adquirido?-  Claramente 
que  no. 

Ademas  de  lo  transcripto  de  dicha  nota  otro  parrofo  dice  lo 
siguiente  : 

"  Podia  aun  decirse  que  en  las  presentes  circunstancias  ha 
"  hecho  cuanto  debia  y  estaba  de  su  parte  (el  Paraguay),  pues 
"  aun  siendo  incalculables  los  danos  que  le  han  ocasionado  la 
"  pasada  guerra  civil  (la  invasion  del  General  Belgrano),  todo 
"  lo  pospone,  todo  lo  olvida  por  el  amor  del  bien  y  prosperidad 
"  general." 

La  Junta  de  Buenos  Aires  contesto  a  la  nota  del  nuevo  go- 
bierno  del  Pai'aguay,  con  fecha  28  de  Agosto  del  mismo  ano, 
aplaudiendo  la  actitud  y  jprocedimiento  del  Paraguay  en  bien 


229 

de  la  causa  coniun  y  recoiiociendo  su  independencia,  decla- 
rando  al  mismo  tiempo  solemnemeute  que  puede  gobernarse  in- 
dependientemente  del  Gobierno  de  Buenos  Aires. 

Otras  notas  relativas  o  coinprobantes  del  Paraguay,  que  ya 
heraos  citado  en  la  parte  sobre  la  cuestiou  de  Misiones,  y  que 
por  lo  mismo  escusamos  repetir  en  esta  parte,  por  que  aquellas, 
a  mas  de  lo  que  acabamos  de  trauscribir,  creemos  son  pruebas 
mas  que  suficientes,  para  que  a  la  Repiibliea  del  Paraguay  no 
se  pueda  culpar  de  indiferencia  en  los  mementos  solemnes  de 
la  independencia. 

Qnedando  probada  la  sin  razon  con  que  se  pretende  eliminar 
al  Paraguay  de  los  derechos  que  tienen  todos  los  Estados  que 
se  ban  independizado,  notaremos,  antes  de  coneluir,  otros  argu- 
mentos  que  se  nos  ha  hecho  para  nulificar  nuestras  posesiones 
en  el  Chaco  ;  son  los  siguientes  : — 

Que  las  poblaciones  que  el  Paraguay  ha  tenido  en  el  Chaco 
todas  fueron  parciales,  que  las  guardias  fueron  volantes  y  que 
en  el  espacio  de  siglos  no  ban  ocupado  ni  cincueuta  leguas 
cuadradas. 

Contestando  a  estas  iujustas  esposiciones  decimos  :  que  las 
posesiones  por  medio  de  poblaciones,  ban  sido  continuadas  en  el 
Chaco  por  el  Paraguay,  que,  sin  embargo  de  haber  fracasado  al- 
gunas,  se  ban  vuelto  a  plantear  otras,  una  de  ellas  la  Villa 
Occidental  que  existe  hasta  la  fecba.  Las  ocupaciones  militares 
tampoco  fueron  volantes,  basta  para  esta  prueba  tener  presente 
el  Fuerte  de  Obmpo,  asi  como  Orange  y  otros  puntos  donde  ha- 
Ij  '  bian  ocupaciones  militares  permanentemente,  y  que  si,  por  ul- 

timo,  no  hemos  ocupado  las  cincuenta  leguas  cuadradas,  esto, 
si  fuese  hoy  un  motivo  para  ser  resuelta  la  cuestion  del  Chaco, 
la  Republica  Argentina  que  nuxca  ua  ocupado  ni  uxa  tara 
cuADRAUA  AL  NoiiTE  DEL  Bermejo,  menos  dcrecho  tendra,  y  sin 
embargo  pretende  poner  fuera  de  discusion  toda  fraccion  entre 
el  Bermejo  y  Pilcomayo. 

Creemos  sHficientemente  probados  nuestros  derechos  sobre  el 
territorio  del  Chaco,  tanto  en  merito  de  los  titulos  legales  cuan- 
to  en  presencia  de  la  posesion  no  interrumpida  que  el  Paraguay  ha 
mantenido  por  medio  de  sacrificios  y  grandes  gastos  de  su  te- 
soro,  ya  manteniendo  y  costeando  fuerzas  militares  para  vigilar 


230 

los  infieles  moradores  que  se  enciientran  en  el  centre  de  ese  terri- 
torio,  asi  como  costeando  varias  reducciones  para  someter  al 
cristianisrao  y  civilizacion  los  mismos  infieles. 

Con  estos  antecedentes  que  dan  al  Paraguay  pleno  derecho 
de  dominio  y  soberania  desde  la  margen  izquierda  del  Bermejo, 
no  puede  reuunciar  este  mismo  derecho  y  declarar  fuera  de 
cuestion  la  fraccion  entre  el  Bermejo  y  Pilcoraayo,  ni  tampoco 
aceptar  el  fallo  arbitral  tan  solamente  al  Norte  del  Pilcomayo, 
maxime  cuando  la  Republica  Argentina  no  quiere  innovar  el 
statu  quo  de  la  ocupacion  de  la  Villa  Occidental,  anticipandose 
adn  para  hacernos  cargos  por  este  misrao  punto  de  ocupacion 
que  "  en  al  arbitrage  tendria  que  ser  materia  tambien,  en  la 
"nueva  posicion  de  la  Villa,  las  construcciones  Argentinas  que 
"  en  ellas  se  ban  hecho,  las  concesiones  de  terrenos  y.  la  admi- 
"  nistracion  dispeiidiosa  que  desde  la  ocupacion  se  sostiene  hasta 
"  ahora,  haciendo  una  verdadera  Villa  de  lo  que  no  era  mas 
"  que  un  obrage  6  guarnicion  Paraguaya  antes  de  la  guerra." 

En  vista  de  lo  que  dice  el  gobierno  Argentino  parece  que 
estaba  ageno  de  lo  que  era  Villa  Occidental,  por  que  de  ninguna 
manera  se  puede  clasificar  como  obrage  6  guarnicion,  puesto  que 
es  de  publica  notoriedad  que  ella,  desde  el  aiio  1854,  tuvo  toda 
la  organizacion  de  un  pueblo,  con  numerosos  habitantes,  esta- 
blecimientos  rurales  y  de  agricultura,  casas  de  comercio  con  mas 
la  institucion  completa  de  los  poderes  eclesiastico,  civil  y  mili- 
tar,  y  unicamente  fue  evacuada  por  causa  de  la  guerra  y  des- 
pues  ocupada  por  f  uerzas  Argentinas,  continuando  en  tal  estado 
hasta  la  fecha  ;  y  como  todavia  las  fuerzas  aliadas  siguen 
ocupando  la  Republica,  el  Gobierno  no  ha  reorganizado  la 
poblacion  de  la  misma  Villa. 

En  consecuencia  la  Republica  del  Paraguay  puede  aceptar  el 
arbitrage  siendo  desde  la  margen  izquierda  del  Bermejo  hasta  la 
Baliia  Negra,  6  amistosamente  transar,  quedando  por  linea  di- 
visoria  el  Rio  Pilcomayo,  salvando  en  ambos  casos,  como  ya 
hemos  dicho,  los  derechos  de  Bolivia ;  y  no  puede  declinar  de 
estas  proposiciones  que  estan  en  armonia  con  los  intereses  reci- 
procos  de  ambas  Republicas  y,  al  mismo  tiempo,  atendiendo  al 
valor  de  los  titulos  legales  y  al  derecho  de  posesion  que  tiene 
el  Paraguay  sobre  el  territorio  en  cuestion,  cuyos  titulos  jamas 


231 


ha  pretendiclo  ocultar  ;  y  si  en  el  curso  de  las  negociaciones  no 
los  ha  exhibido,  fue  tinicamente  por  que  el  Pleuipotcnciario 
Argentine  pi'opuso  al  del  Paraguay  arreglar  y  convenir  amis- 
tosaraente  en  las  cuestiones  de  limites. 


CONCLUSIONES. 


I*' — La  cuestion  de  limites  sobre  et  territorio  de  Misiones  de- 
pende  en  la  actualidad  de  la  consecuencia  del  protocolo  de  7  de 
Mayo  {iltimo,  que  no  llevandose  a  efecto  en  definitiva  los  tra- 
tados,  el  Paraguay  mantiene  sus  derechos  que  por  justos  titulos 
tiene  hasta  la  margen  izquierda  del  Parana. 

2° — El  derecho  de  posesion  que  tiene  el  Paraguay  sobre  la 
Isla  del  Atajo  6  Cerrito  reconocido  por  uno  de  los  Gobiernos  de 
la  misma  Alianza,  no  puede  innovarse  sin  previo  acuerdo  sobre 
el  Chaco. 

3° — La  cuestion  del  Chaco  se  definira  por  medio  del  arbitrage, 
siendo  desde  el  Bermejo  hasta  la  Bahia  Negra,  6  por  transac- 
cion  amistosa  fijando  por  linea  definitiva  el  Pilcomayo. 

4° — En  consecuencia  de  la  buena  politica  y  buenos  deseos,  la 
Repfiblica  del  Paraguay  esta  pronta  a  firmar  los  tratados  de- 
finitives con  la  Argentina  bajo  las  bases  propuestas  ;  y,  mien- 
tras  dicho  tratado  no  se  realice,  guardar  la  paz  que  mantiene, 
conservando  subsistente  la  protesta  de  18  de  Febrero  de  1872. 

Asuncion,  Octubre  31  de  1873. 

JOS:^  DEL  R.  MIRANDA. 


ANEXOS 


ANEXO  A. 

No.  1. 


TRATADO  DE  LIMITES 

BNTRE    LA 


If  ica  (lei  Parapaj  |  la  irgeiiliDa, 


DE 


3  DE  FEBRERO  DE   1876. 


NICOLAS   AVELLANEDA, 

Presidente  de  la  Rep'ublica  Argenti?ia. 

a  todos  los  que  la  presente  vierex:  • 
Salud ! 

Por  cuanto  entre  la  Rep^blica  Argentina  por  una  parte  y  la 
del  Paraguay  por  otra,  se  negocio  concluyo  y  firmo  un  Tratado 
deLiraites  en  la  Ciudad  de  Buenos  Ayres,  a  los  tres  dias  del  mes 
de  Febrero  del  aiio  1876,  por  medio  de  Plenipotenciarios  com- 
petentemente  autorizados  al  efecto,  tratado  cuyo  tenor  es  el 
siguiente: 

Los  infrascritos,  Ministros  Plenipotenciarios  de  la  Republica 
Argentina  y  de  la  del  Paraguay,  nombrados  por  sus  respectivos 
Gobiernos  para  celebrar  el  tratado  de  Limites  pendiente  entre 
ambas  Republicas,  habiendo  cangeado  sus  respectivos  plenos 
poderes  y  halladolos  en  buena  y  debida  forma,  convinieron  en 
lo  siguiente. 


286 

Akticulo  I. 

La  RepAblica  del  Paraguay  se  divide  por  la  parte  del  Este  y 
Sud  de  la  Replibliea  Argentina  por  la  mitad  de  la  corriente  del 
canal  principal  del  Rio  Parana,  desde  s\i  confluencia  con  el  Rio 
Paraguay,  hasta  encontrar  por  su  margen  izquierda  los  limites 
del  Imperio  del  Brazil,  perteneciendo  la  Isla  de  Apipe  a  la  Re- 
publica  Argentina  y  la  Isla  de  Yacireta  a  la  del  Paraguay,  como 
se  declare  en  el  tratado  de  1856. 

Articulo  it. 

Por  la  parte  del  Oeste  la  Republica  del  Paraguay  se  divide 
de  la  Republica  Argentina  por  la  mitad  de  la  corriente  del  ca- 
nal principal  del  Rio  Paraguay  desde  si;  confluencia  con  el  Rio 
Parana,  quedando  reconocido  definitivamente  como  perteneci- 
ente  a  la  Republica  Argentina  el  territorio  del  Chaco  hasta  el 
canal  principal  del  Rio  Pilcomayo,  que  desemboca  en  el  Rio 
Paraguay  en  los  25°  20'  de  latitud  sud,  segun  el  mapa  de  Mou- 
chez  y  25°  22'  segun  el  de  Brayer. 

Articulo  III. 

Pertenece  al  dominio  de  la  Republica  Argentina  la  Isla  del 
Atajo  6  Cerrito.  Las  demas  Islas  firmes  6  anegadizas  que  se 
encuentran  en  uno  y  otro  rio,  Parana  y  Paraguay,  pertenecen  a 
la  Republica  Argentina  6  a  la  del  Paraguay,  segun  sea  su  situa- 
cion  mas  adyacente  al  territorio  de  una  ii  otra  Republica,  con 
arreglo  a  los  principios  de  derecbo  internacional  que  rigen  esta 
materia.  Los  canales  que  existen  entre  dichas  Islas,  inclusive 
la  del  Cerrito,  son  comunes  para  la  navegacion  de  ambos  Es- 
tados. 

Articulo  IV. 

El  territorio  comprendido  entre  el  Brazo  principal  del  Pilco- 
mayo y  Bahia  Negra,  se  considerara  dividido  en  dos  secciones, 
siendo  la  primera  la  comprendida  entre  Bahia  Negra  y  el  Rio 
Verde  que  se  halla  en  los  23°  10'  de  latitud  sud,  segun  el  mapa 
de  Mouchez;  y  la  seguuda  la  comprendida  entre  el  mismo  Rio 


237 

Verde   y   el  brazo  principal   del   Pilcomayo,   incluyendose   en 
eeta  seccion  la  Villa  Occidental. 

El  Gobierno  Argentine  renuncia  definitivamente  a  toda  pre- 
tension 6  derecho  sobre  la  primera  seccion. 

La  propiedad  6  derecho  en  el  territorio  de  la  segiinda  seccion, 
inclusa  la  Villa  Occidental,  queda  sometida  a  la  decision  defini- 
tiva  de  un  fallo  arbitral. 

Articulo  V. 

Las  dos  altas  partes  contratantes  convienen  en  elegir  al  Exce- 
lentisimo  Seiior  Presidente  de  los  Estados  Unidos  de  Norte 
America  como  arbitro  para  resolver  sobre  el  dominio  a  la  se- 
gunda  seccion  de  territorio  a  que  se  refiere  el  articulo  que  pre- 
cede. 

Akticulo    VI. 

En  el  termino  de  sesenta  dias  contados  desde  el  cange  del 
presente  tratado,  las  Partes  Contratantes  se  dirijiran  conjunta 
6  separadamente  al  Arbitro  nombrado,  solicitando  su  aceptacion. 

Articulo    VII. 

Si  el  Excelentisimo  Seiior  Presidente  de  los  Estados  Unidos 
no  aceptase  el  cargo  de  Juez  Arbitro,  las  Partes  Contratantes 
deberan  concurrir  a  elegir  otro  Arbitro,  dentro  de  los  sesenta 
dias  siguientes  al  recibo  de  la  escusacion  ;  y  si  alguna  de  las 
Partes  no  concurriere  en  el  plazo  designado  a  verificar  el  nom- 
bramiento,  se  entendera  hecho  definitivamente  por  la  Parte  que 
lo  haya  verificado  y  notificado  a  la  otra.  En  este  caso,  la  resolu- 
cion  que  el  Arbitro  pronuncie,  sera  plenamente  obligatoria,  como 
61  hubiese  sido  nombrado  de  comun  acuerdo  por  ambas  Partes, 
pues  la  omision  de  una  de  ellas  en  el  nombramiento  importa 
delegar  en  la  otra  el  derecho  de  hacerlo.  El  mismo  plazo  de 
sesenta  dias  y  las  mismas  condiciones  regiran  en  el  caso  de  ul- 
teriores  escusaciones. 

Articulo  VIII. 

Aceptado  el  nombramiento  del  Arbitro,  el  Gobierno  de  la  Re- 
piiblica  Argentina  y  el  del  Paraguay  le  presentaran  en  el  ter- 


238 

mino  de  doce  meses,  contados  desde  la  aceptacion  del  cargo, 
memorias  que  contengan  la  esposicion  de  los  derechos  con  que 
cada  uno  se  considera  al  territerio  cuestionado,  acompanando 
cada  parte  todos  los  documentos,  titulos,  mapas,  citas,  referen- 
cias  y  cuantos  antecedentes  juzgue  favorables  a  sus  derechos; 
siendo  convenido  que,  al  vencimiento  del  esj)resado  plazo  de 
doce  meses,  quedara  cerrada  definitivamente  la  discusion  para 
las  Partes,  cualquiera  que  sea  la  razon  que  aleguen  en  con- 
trario. 

Solo  el  Arbitro  nombrado  podra,  despues  de  vencido  el  plazo, 
mandar  agregar  los  documentos  6  titulos  que  juzque  necesarios 
para  ilustrar  su  juicio  6  para  fundar  el  fallo  que  esta  llamado  a 
prouunciar. 

Articulo  IX. 

Si  en  el  plazo  estipulado,  alguna  de  las  Partes  contratantes 
no  exliibiese  la  memoria,  titulos  y  documentos  que  favorezcan 
sus  pretensiones,  el  Arbitro  fallani  en  vista  de  los  que  haya  ex- 
hibido  la  otra  parte  y  de  los  Memorandums  presentados  por  el 
Ministro  Argentino  y  el  Ministro  Paraguayoen  el  ano  de  1873,  y 
demas  documentos  diplomaticos  cambiados  en  la  negociacion 
del  aiio  citado.  Si  ninguno  los  hubiese  presentado,  el  Arbitro 
fallara,  tenpiendo  resentes  en  esa  eventualidad  como  esposicion 
y  documentos  sufientes  los  espresados. 

Cualquiera  de  los  Gobiernos  contratantes  podra  presentar 
esos  documentos  al  Arbitro. 

Articulo   X. 

En  los  casos  previstos  en  los  articulos  anteriores  el  i'allo  que 
86  pronuncie  sera  definitivo  y  obligatorio  para  ambas  Partes,  sin 
que  puedan  alegar  razon  alguna  para  dificultar  su  cumplimiento. 

Articulo  XL 

Queda  convenido  que,  durante  la  prosecucion  del  juicio  arbi- 
tral y  hasta  su  terminacion,  no  se  hard  innovacion  en  la  secciou 
sometida  a  arbitrage,  y  que,    si    se   produjese   algun   hecho   de 


239 

posesion  antes  del  fallo,  el  no  tendra  valor  alguno,  ni  podra  ser 
alegado  en  la  discusion  como  un  titulo  nuevo. 

Queda  igualraente  eonvenido  que  las  nuevas  concesiones  que 
se  hagan  por  el  Gobierno  Argentino  en  la  Villa  Occidental  no 
podran  ser  invocadas  como  titulos  a  su  favor,  importando  {mi- 
cameute  la  continuacion  del  ejei'cicio  de  la  jurisdiccion  que  hoy 
tiene  y  que  continura  hasta  el  fallo  arbitral,  para  no  impedir  el 
progreso  de  aquella  localidad,  en  beueficio  del  Estado  a  quien 
sea  adjudicada  definitivamente. 

Articulo  XII. 

Es  eonvenido  que  si  el  fallo  arbitral  fuese  en  favor  de  la  Re- 
pfiblica  Argentina,  esta  respetara  los  derechos  de  propiedad  y 
posesion  emanados  del  Gobierno  del  Paraguay,  e  indemnizara  ^ 
este  el  valor  de  sus  edificios  publicos.  Y  si  fuese  en  favor  del 
Paraguay,  este  respetara  igualmente  los  derechos  de  posesion  y 
propiedad  emanados  del  Gobierno  Argentino,  iudemnizando 
tambien  a  la  Republica  Argentina  el  valor  de  sus  edificios 
pfiblicos. 

El  monto  de  esta  indemnizacion  y  la  forma  de  su  pago  seran 
determinados  j^or  dos  Comisarios  que  nombraran  las  Partes 
Contratantes,  Ti  los  seis  meses  de  pronunciado  el  fallo  arbitral. 
Estos  dos  Comisarios,  en  caso  de  desinteligencia,  nombraran  por 
si  solos  un  tercero  para  dirimir  las  diferencias. 

Articulo  XIIL 

Los  reconocimientos  de  territorios  hechos  por  los  dos  paises, 
no  podran  desvirtuar  los  derechos  6  titulos  que  directa  6  indi- 
rectamente  puedan  servirles  en  cuanto  al  territorio  sujeto  a 
arbitrage. 

Articulo  XIV. 

El  cange  de  las  ratificaciones  del  presente  Tratado  tendra 
lugar  en  la  Ciudad  de  Buenos  Ayres  dentro  del  mas  breve  plazo 
posible. 

En  fe  de  lo  cual  los  Plenipotenciarios  firmaron  el  presente 
Tratado  por  duplicado,  y  lo  sellaron  en  la  Ciudad  de  Buenos 


2iO 

Ayres,  a  los  tres  dias  del  mes  de  Febrero  y  afio  de  mil  ocho- 
cientos  setenta  y  seis. 

(l.  s.)  BERNARDO    DE   IRIGOYEN, 

(l.  s.)  FACUNDO   MACHAIN, 

E.  LAMARCA, 

Secretario  del  Pletiipotenciario  Argentina. 
CARLOS    SAGUIER, 
Secretario  del  Plenipotenciario  Paraguay o. 

For  tanto,  visto  y  examinado  el  Tratado  preinserto  y  despues 
de  haber  obtenido  la  corapetente  autorizacion  del  Congreso 
Nacional,  lo  acepto,  confirrao  y  ratifico,  como  lo  hago  por  la 
presente,  prometiendo  y  obligaiidorae,  a  nombre  de  la  Repliblica 
Argentina,  a  hacer  observar  y  cumplir  fiel  e  inviolablemente 
todo  lo  contenido  y  estipulado  en  todos  y  cada  uno  de  los  avticu- 
los  del  mencionado  Tratado. 

En  fe  de  lo  cual  firmo  con  mi  mano  el  presente  instrument© 
de  ratificacion,  sellado  con  el  gran  sello  de  las  arnias  de  la  Re- 
publica  y  refrendado  por  el  Ministro  Secretario  de  Estado  en  el 
Departaraento  de  Relaciones  Esteriores. 

Dado  en  la  casa  del  Gobierno  Nacional  en  Buenos  Ayres,  a 
priraero  de  Setiembre  de  1876, 

(firmado)  N.  Avellakeda. 

(firmado)  Bernardo  de  Irigoti-n. 

j    LUGAR  DEL 
(  GRAN  SELLO. 

Es  copia  fiel  del  original  que  obra  en  el  Archivo  de  la  Secre- 
taria  de  Relaciones  Esteriores. 

M.  F.  RlQUELME, 

OJicial  1°. 


241 

ANEXO  A. 

N*'  2. 


Carta  autografa  del  Presidente  del  Para- 
guay al  de  los  Estados  TJnidos,  solicitando 
su  aceptacion  del  cargo  de  Arhitro. 


MiNISTERIO    DE  ) 

Relaciones  Esterioees.  [ 


JUAN  BAUTISTA  GILL, 

Preside7ite  Cotistitucional  de  la  Mepuhlica  del  Paraguay. 

Al  Exmo  Senob  Presidente  de  los  Estados   Unidos  de 
Norte  America. 

Grande  t  Buen  Amigo: 

Tengo  la  alto  satisfaccion  de  elevar  a  vuestro  conocimiento 
que  entre  la  Republica  del  Paraguay,  y  la  Republica  Argentina 
existe  pendiente  una  cuestion  sobre  la  propiedad  6  mejor  dere- 
cho  a  una  parte  del  territorio  del  Chaco  situado  sobre  la  ribera 
derecha  del  Rio  Paraguay,  comprendida  entre  el  Rio  Verde  y 
el  brazo  principal  del  Pilcomayo,  cuestion  que,  segun  el  tratado 
celebrado  entre  las  dos  Naciones,  con  fecha  3  de  Febrero  de 
1876,  debe  ser  decidida  por  fallo  arbitral.  Como  de  comun 
"acuerdo  nos  hemos  servido  designar  para  Arbitro  al  Exmo  Seiior 
Presidente  de  los  Estados  Unidos  de  Norte  America,  me  per- 
mito  dirijiros  la  presente  pidiendoos  encarecidamente  os  digneis 
aceptar  el  encargo  que  os  hemos  confiado,  como  a  grande  y  gene- 
roso  amigo,  a  quien  no  puede  ser  indiferente  todo  cuanto  se  re- 
lacione  con  la  tranquilidad  y  buena  armonia  que  deben  existir 
entre  estas  Republicas. 


242 

Esperando  que  contribuireis  a  poner  termino  a  esta  cuestion  y 
haciendo  votos  por  la  prosperidad  del  gi-an  pueblo  de  los  Esta- 
dos  Unidos  a  quien  dignamente  presidis,  me  es  altaraente  grato 
suscribirme. 

Vuestro  leal  y  buen  amigo. 

JUAN  BAUTISTA  GILL, 
BENJAMLN  ACEVAL. 

Dada  en  la  Asuncion  a  los  trece  dias  del  mes  de  Enero   de 

18V7. 


243 

ANEXO  A. 

X«  3. 


Carta  autografa  del  Exmo  Sr.  Presidente 

de  los  Estados  Unidos  aceptando  el  cargo  de 

Arhitro. 

( Tradnccion.) 


RUTHERFORD  B.  HAYES, 

Presidente  de  los  Estados  Unidos  de  America. 

A  Su  ExcELENCiA  Juan  Bautista  Gill,  Presidente  de  la 
Republica  del  Paraguay. 

Grande  y  Buen  Amigo: 

He  recibido  la  carta  de  fecha  13  de  Enero  ultimo,  que  Vues- 
tra  Excelencia  se  ha  servido  dirijii-me,  pidiendome  acepte  el 
cargo  de  Arbitro  entre  Vuestro  Gobierno  y  la  Republica  Argen- 
tina, en  una  cuestion  que  ha  surgido  entre  ambos  con  respecto 
a  limites,  y  que,  por  un  tratado  se  ha  convenido  en  someter  a 
arbitrage. 

En  contestacion,  me  permito  anunciar  a  Vuestra  Excelencia 
mi  aceptacion  del  cargo  que  me  ha  sido  tan  cordialmente 
ofrecido.  Tanto  menos  vacilo  en  tomar  esta  resolucion,  cuanto 
que  ella  es  basada  sobre  una  politica  para  el  avreglo  de  disputas 
entre  naciones,  que  apruebo  sinceramente. 

Hallare  en  mis  esfuerzos  por  ser  estrictamente  imparcial  en 
mi  fallo,  mi  mejor  seguridad  para  poderesperar  que  mi  decision 
sera  satisfactoria  a  ambas  partes,  6  por  lo  menos,  que  asl  se 
propendera  a  evitar  cualquier  disgusto  que  el  resultado  final 
pudiera  causar  a  una  ix  otra  de  las  partes. 


244 

Me  es  grato  asi  mismo  aprovechar  esta  ocasion  para  ofrecer  k 
Vuestra  Excelencia  mis  cordiales  votos  por  la  prosperidad  de  la 
Repdblica  del  Paraguay. 

Dada  en  Washington  a  28  de  Marzo  de  1877. 
Vuestro  Buen  Amigo, 

R.  B.  HAYES. 
Por  el  Presidente 

Wm.  M.  Evarts, 

Secretario  de  Estado. 


245 


ANEXO    B. 

N«.  1. 

NOTA  DEL  MiNISTKO  DE  ReLACIONES  EsTERIORES  DEL  PA- 
RAGUAY AL  MiNISTRO  DE  ItALIA  PiDIENDOLE  LEGALIZE  LOS 
DOCUMENTOS    SOBRE    EL    ChACO,  PrEVIA    CoNFRONTACION,  Y  SU 

Respuesta. 

MiNISTERIO    DE    ReLACIONES    EsTERIORES, 

Asuncion,  25  de  Agosto,  1877. 
Seiior  Ministro  : 

Teniendo  necesidad  de  legalizar  las  copias  de  los  documentos 
originales  depositados  en  el  Archive  Nacional  referentes  a  la 
cuestion  del  Chaco  que  ha  side  sometida  a  la  decision  arbitral 
del  Ciudadano  Presidente  de  la  Republica  de  los  Estados  TJni- 
dos  de  Xorte  America,  quedaria  a  V.  E.  sumamente  grato  si  se 
sirviese  toniarse  la  incomodidad  de  hacer  una  prolija  confronta- 
cion  entre  las  copias  y  los  originales,  a  fin  de  que  bajo  su  firma 
y  sello  de  esa  Legacion  de  su  digno  cargo,  se  sirva  certificar 
legalraente  su  exactitud  y  literal  transcripcion. 

La  falta  de  una  Legacion  Norte  Americana  en  el  pais,  me 
obliga  a  pedir  a  V.  E.  este  servicio,  que,  no  dudo,  me  prestara 
V.  E.  con  la  amabilidad  que  lo  distingue. 

Aprovecho  esta  oportunidad  para  tener  el  honor  de   reiterarle 
las  protestas  de  la  consideracion  y  aprecio,  con  que  me  suscribo, 
De  V.  E.  atento  y  afmo.  s.s. 

JUAN  A.  JARA. 

A  Su  Excelencia  el  Senor  Encargado  de  Negocios  de  S.  M, 
el  Rey  de  Italia,  Caballero  Don  Enrique  Stella. 


Legacion  de  S.  M,  el  Rey  de  Italia,  ) 
Asuncion,  25  de  Agosto  de  1877.      f 
Senor  Ministro  : 

En  contestacion  a  su  nota,  fecha  de  hoy,  con  la  cual  se  sirve 
pedirme  que,  a  falta  de  una  Legacion  de  los  Estados  Unidos  en 


246 

esta  Repftblica,  sean  por  mi  legalizadas  las  copias  de  los  docu- 
mentos  originales  referentes  :i  la  cuestion  del  Chaco,  me  es  grato 
asegurarle  que  tendro  el  mayor  gusto  en  acceder  ti  la  demanda 
que  me  hace  el  honor  de  dirijirme. 

Con  este  objeto  estate  a  la  disposicion  de  ese  Ministerio  de 
sii  digno  cargo  el  proximo  martes  a  las  10^  de  la  mailana  li  otro 
dia  que  major  le  acoraodare  fijar. 

Aprovecho  la  oportunidad  para  reiterarle,  Senor  Ministro,  las 
seguridades  de  mi  mas  alta  consideracion  y  distinguida  estima. 

(firmado)     E.  STELLA. 

A  Su  Excelencia  el  Sexor  Don  Juan  A.  Jara,  Ministro  de 
Relaciones  Esteriores. 


247 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.    1. 


Ci:DULA. 
El  Key. 

Presidente  y  Oidores  de  mi  audiencia  Real,  que  he 
mandado  fundar  en  la  Ciudad  de  la  Trinidad  del  Puerto  de 
Buenos  Aires  de  las  Provincias  del  Rio  de  la  Plata.  El  licen- 
ciado  Don  Juan  Blasques  de  Valverde  que  fue  mi  Gobernador 
y  Capitan  General  de  la  Provincia  del  Paraguay  refiere  en  carta 
de  18  de  Abril  del  afio  1657,  que  el  de  1618  tuvo  el  Rey  mi 
Seiior  y  Padre,  que  santa  gloria  haya,  por  bien  de  mandar  divi- 
dir  aquel  Gobierno  del  de  esas  provincias,  habiendose  gobernado 
hasta  entonces  lo  temporal  por  uu  gobernador,  y  lo  espiritual 
por  un  Obispo,  y  que  esto  se  ejecuto  el  afio  de  1621,  y  los  habi- 
tadores  de  dicba  Provincia  del  Paraguay  reconociendo  cuan 
perjudicial  seria  aquella  division  a  lapazy  conservacion  de  ellos, 
me  suplicaron  leshiciese  merced  de  que  se  volviesen  a  unir  y 
poner  en  la  forma  que  antes  estaban.  Y  ahora  a  instancia  de 
los  dichos  habitadores  habia  hecho  una  informacion  que  remitia 
con  la  dicha  carta,  por  donde  constaba  que  cuando  el  dicho  Go- 
bierno del  Paraguay  se  dividio  del  Gobierno  de  esas  provincias 
habia  ocho  Ciudades  en  ambas  provincias  y  por  parecer  que  eran 
muchas  y  muy  distantes  unas  de  otras  para  uu  gobernador,  se 
seiialaron  cuatro  para  cada  gobierno,  y  de  las  que  cupieron  al 
del  Paraguay  solo  se  conservaba  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  donde 
esta  la  Catedral,  por  que  de  las  otras  tres,  las  dos  se  habian  per- 
dido  totalmente  y  estaban  poseidas  y  ocupadas  de  los  indios  ene- 
migos,  y  la  otra  que  se  llama  la  Villa  Rica,  se  habia  despoblado 
por  las  invasiones  a  que  estaba  sujeta  de  los  Portugueses  de  la  de 
San  Pablo,  y  algunos  de  los  pocos  vecinos  que  quedaron  funda- 
ron  otra  Villeta,  cuarenta  6  cincuenta  leguas  distante  de  la  Ciu- 
dad de  la  Asuncion,  con  sesenta  6  setenta  vecinos  que  la  habitan 
y  son  los  que  sacan  la  yerba  que  alii  se  beneficia  para  todas  las 
provincias     del   Peru:    y   que    de     las   otras     cuatro     Ciuda- 


248 

des  que  se  senalaron  a  ese  Gobierno  se  perdio  el  alio  de  1632  la 
del  Rio  Bermejo  que  asolaron  los  indios  enemigos  y  un  pueblo 
abundante  llamado  Matara,  con  muerte  de  muchos  espaiioles, 
sin  que  se  haya  podido  restaurar  ninguna  de  las  dichas  Ciudades 
perdidas,  habiendo  resultado  todas  estar  ruinas  y  trabajadas  de 
haberse  dividido  las  fuerzas  que  habia  en  ambas  provincias,  y  ha- 
llarse  por  esta  causa  sin  armas  suficientes  para  su  defensa:  cuan- 
do  estando  unidas  y  en  un  cuerpo  no  solo  se  conservaron,  sino 
que  se  ganaban  y  hacian  nuevas  conquistas  y  poblaciones,  casti- 
gando  la  osadia  de  dichos  indios  que  no  estaban  sujetos 
y  subordinados  a  los  espanoles,  y  representa  el 
dicho  Dn.  Juan  Blasques  de  Valverde  el  ejemplar 
del  gobierno  de  Tucuman  diciendo  que  comprende  ocho 
Ciudades  asu  cargo,  y  que  a  deraas  de  lo  referido,  habia  resultado 
de  la  dicha  division  el  estar  tan  aniquilada  y  destruida  ]a  pro- 
vincia  del  Paraguay  de  los  indios,  a  que  los  vecinos  tenian  en  sus 
encomiendas  en  que  consistia  el  sustento  de  ellos  y  tener  con 
que  beneticiar  sus  tierras,  respecto  de  que  para  sacar  de  alii  la 
yerba  y  tabaco  que  se  llevaba  a  las  demas  provincias  vecinas, 
era  fuerza  que  las  llevasen  indios  en  embarcaciones  de  balsas  6 
barcas  hasta  Santa  Fe,  que  era  puerto  del  Rio  Parana,  y  que 
pasando  por  la  Ciudad  de  las  Corrientes,  como  ambas  eran  de 
diferentes  gobiernos,  y  sus  babitadores  siempre  necesitaban  de 
indios  que  los  sirviesen,  detenian  a  los  que  pasaban  por  aprove- 
charse  de  ellos,  y  las  justicias  no  lo  remediaban,  no  sucediendo 
esto  cuando  estaban  debajo  de  un  gobierno,  por  que  el  que  los 
tenia  a  su  cargo  los  miraba  con  igual  afecto  y  hacia  que  a  cada 
Ciudad  se  volviesen  y  redugesen  los  indios  que  de  ella  habian 
salido  con  embarcaciones  y  otros  tragines,  y  que  los  disgustos  y 
alborotos  que  en  aquella  Ciudad  se  padecieron,  habian  resultado 
de  estar  el  territorio  de  aquel  gobierno  reducido  solo  a  la  Ciudad 
de  la  Asuncion,  donde  se  hallaban  en  estrechura  el  Obispo  y  el 
Gobernador  por  su  cortedad  y  pobreza  de  los  vecinos:  y  propone 
que  reduciendose  aquellas  provincias  y  esas  a  un  solo  gobierno 
en  lo  espiritual  y  temporal,  se  ahorraria  el  salario  de  dos  mil 
ducados  que  se  da  al  uno  de  los  Gobernadores,  y  el  socorro  con 
que  se  acude  de  mi  caja  real  a  los  dichos  obispos,  por  no  tener 
congrua  para  sustentarse  en  las  rentas  decimales,  que  divididas 


249 

en  dos  Obispados  no  son  suficientes,  y  lo  fueran  para  solo  uno  y 
para  un  Dean  y  tres  Dignidades,  extinguiendose  las  Canongias 
por  no  haber  quien  las  pida  ni  renta  para  ellas.  Y  habiendose 
visto  por  los  de  mi  consejo  de  las  Indias  juntaraente  con  un 
memorial  qne  se  presento  por  parte  de  la  dicha  Ciudad  de  la 
Asuncion,  sobre  la  misma  pretension  y  los  demas  papeles  tocan- 
tes  a  la  materia,  y  lo  que  cerca  de  ella  dijo  y  pidiu  mi  Fiscal  en 
el  dicho  mi  consejo,  por  que  quiero  saber  lo  que  hay  y  pasa  en 
razon  de  lo  que  se  retiere  en  la  carta  del  dicho  Don  Juan  Blas- 
ques  de  Valverde  y  informacion  que  remite  con  ella,  y  si  las 
perdidas  y  despoblaciones  de  Ciudades  y  los  demas  dauos  que 
se  dicen  en  ellas,  se  han  ocasionado  de  haberse  dividido  la  pro- 
vincia  del  Paraguay  de  esas  del  Rio  de  la  Plata,  y  con  volver  a 
unir  el  Gobierno  de  ellos,  en  lo  espiritual  y  temporal,  se  acudira 
al  remedio  de  los  trabajos  que  se  dice  han  padecido  y  padecen 
sus  habitadores  y  seevitaran  en  lode  adelante:  6  que  convenien- 
cias  u  inconvenientes  podran  resultar  de  hacerse  esta  union; 
OS  mando  que  inquirieudo  en  orden  a  ello  las  noticias  mas  indi- 
viduales  y  desinteresadas  que  pudieredes,  me  envieis  en  la 
primera  ocasion  relacion  de  ella  y  de  lo  demas  qne  se  os  ofreciere 
en  la  materia  con  toda  distincion  y  claridad,  juntamente  con 
vuestro  parecer,  para  que  visto  en  el  dicho  mi  consejo  se  pueda 
tomar  la  resolucion  que  mas  convenga.  Fecha  en  Madrid  a  31 
de  Diciembre  de  1662. 

Yd  el  Key.      Por  mandado  del    Rey   nuestro  Senor,  Don 
Yo  EL  Rey, 

Por  mandado  del  Rey  Nuestro  Senor. 

Don  Juan  del  Solar, 
Hay  cinco  rfibricas. 

A  la  audiencia  que  V,  M.  ha  mandado  fundar  en  las  pro- 
vincias  del  Rio  de  la  Plata  que  informe  sobre  la  union  del 
gobierno  espiritual  y  temporal  de  las  provincias  del  Rio  de  la 
Plata  y  Paraguay. 


250 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.  2. 

Don  Jose  Marlines  Fontes,  Capitan  de  Dragones  del  Presidio 
de  Buenos  Ay  res,  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  de  esta  Pro- 
vincia  del  Paraguay,  &c. 

Al  M.  R,  P.  Nicolas  Contucci  de  la  Sagrada  Compania 
de  Jesus,  Visitador  actual  de  este  Colegio  del  Paraguay. 
Significo  y  liago  saber  de  como  hallandorae  en  actual  visita 
de  estos  pueblos  de  mi  cargo,  me  participo  mi  maestre  de 
Campo  actual  Don  Fulgencio  de  Yegros  de  como  la  Nacion 
cosaria  de  los  Abipones  liabia  venido  a  tratar  paces  con  esta 
provincia  y  a  pedir  Reducion  para  su  conversion  y  sujecion  al 
yugo  de  la  ley  evangelica,  y  con  esta  noticia  tan  plausible  abau- 
donando  la  obligacion  de  la  visita,  pareciendome  de  mayor  ira- 
portancia  este  negocio,  baje  con  aceleracion  a  esta  Ciudad,  y 
con  la  misma  pase  rio  abajo  en  parage  del  Timbo,  lugar  des- 
tinado  por  el  Cacique  Deguachi  para  las  capitulaciones  valien- 
dome  como  siempre  de  la  proteccion  de  su  Sagrada  Religion  en 
llevar  conmigo  al  Padre  Francisco  Burges  como  inteligente  en 
el  idioma  de  esta  nacion,  y  con  efecto,  habiendome  avistado 
con  el  Casique  y  sus  vasallos,  proponiendome  el  fin  a  que 
venian,  y  propuesto  de  rai  parte  todos  aquellos  capitulos  que 
me  parecieron  convenientes  a  una  estable  paz  y  perfecta  reduc- 
cion  de  ellos.  Condescendieron  con  toda  resignacion  y  sinceri- 
dad  al  parecer,  y  sin  ninguna  malicia,  rindiendo  las  armas  y  en- 
tregandose  a  las  Espanolas  sin  precaucion  ;  ultimarnente  que- 
damos  de  aeuerdo  que  dprincipio  del  nies  de  Fehrero  proximo 
venidero  hajaria  y  6  por  el  rio  con  gente,  ganado,  herraniientas  y 
otros  viveres  d/ormarle  su  poblacion  en  el  espresado  ^xtraje  del 
Timbo  hacia  la  parte  del  Chaco^  para  cuyo  tietnpo  con  el  pleno 
concimiento  de  la  innata  propension  de  su  sagrada  religion,  a 
la  conversion  de  infieles  y  estension  de  la  Ley  Evangelica  como 
se  esperimenta  en  todas  partes  del  mundo,  y  con  la  considera- 
cion  de  que  en  este  asunto  hara  V.  Reverendesima  particular 
servicio  a  ambas  Magestades,  bien  y  utilidad  de  esta  provincia 


251 

y  de  aquellas  alraas  perdidas  del  rebaiio  de  nuestro  Redentor 
Jesucristo  ;  suplico  se  sirva  destinar  uno  6  dos  sujetos  que  sos- 
tenga  la  doctriua  de  la  estipulada  reduccion,  y  en  caso  necesa- 
rio  en  nombre  del  Rey  Nuestro  Senor,  exorto  y  requiero  a  Vu- 
estra  Reverendisinia  anteponiendo  y  posponiendo  mi  suplica 
para  la  consecucion  de  este  asunto  de  tan  grande  importancia, 
que  en  ello  S.  M.  sera  por  bienservido  y  yo  con  reciproca  cor- 
respondencia  mirarc  a  las  de  Y.  Rma.,  siempre  y  cuando  me 
ministrare  las  insinuaciones  convenientes  ii  su  Sagrada  Religion. 
Y  es  feclio  en  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay  a  los  25  de  Octubre  de 
1762  aiios. 

Jose.Martines  Fontks, 
Ante  mi 

Blas  de  Noceda, 
Escrihano  picblico,  <&c.,  tjbc. 


252 

ANEXO    C. 

Nicolas  Contucci  de  la  Compania  de  Jesus,  visitador  general 
de  esta  provincia  del  Paraguay. 

A  los  que  la  presente  vieren  hago  saber  como  estando 
en  estas  doctrinas  de  indios  guaranis  que  estan  al  cargo 
de  mi  sagrada  religion  entendiendo  en  la  visita  de  ellos, 
en  cumplimiento  del  cargo  en  que  me  hallo,  se  me  enti-ego 
e  hizo  manifiesto  el  exorto  de  auso  despachado  por  el  Seiior 
Capitan  de  Dragones  Dn.  Jose  Martines  Fontes,  Goberna- 
dor  y  Capitan  General  de  la  Provincia  y  gubernacion  del 
Paraguay,  el  cual  recibi  en  9  de  Novierabre  de  1762  aiios,  y 
despues  de  haber  considerado  su  contesto,  y  lo  que  eu  el  se  or- 
dena  en  nombre  de  S.  M.,  que  Dios  guarde,  y  venerando  tan 
superior  mandato  con  el  aprecio  debido,  y  estimando  a  dicho 
Seiior  Gobernador  la  confianza  que  para  esta  erapresa  se  sirve 
hacer  de  la  industria  y  celo  de  la  Compania  :  como  superior  de 
ella  en  todas  estas  ProAdncias  digo,que  obedez  co  y  acepto  con  el 
mas  profundo  rendiniiento  dicho  exorto  para  pouerlo  en  ejecu- 
cion,  y  en  su  consecuencia  se  proveera  de  nuestra  j^arte  que 
para  cuando  llegue  el  caso  de  establecerse  lanueva  reduccion  de 
los  indios  Abipones  que  se  pretende,  se  seilalen  sujetos  aptos  e 
idoneos  que  cuiden  de  su  espiritual  enseiianza  :  bien  asi  enten- 
dido  que  no  por  eso  nos  hacemos  cargo  de  asegurar  el  fondo 
necesario  para  su  temporal  manutencion,  pues  esto  lo  debera 
solicitar  dicho  Seiior  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  y  los  de- 
mas  que  en  su  cargo  en  adelante  le  sucedieren  ;  como  ni  tam- 
poco  nos  hacemos  cargo  de  la  asistencia  temporal  de  los  misione- 
ros  que  alii  hayan  de  existir,  por  que  esta  la  debera  solicitar  S. 
S.  conforme  lo  que  el  Rey  nuestro  Senor  prescribe  en  sus 
Keales  Cedulas  y  Leyes  sobre  fundaciones  de  nuevas  reduccio- 
nes.  Y  por  lo  que  toca  a  la  libertad  de  los  indios  que  en  dicha 
reduccion  hubieren  de  estar,  se  hade  servir  S.  S.  en  nombre  de 
S.  M.  adraitirlos  debajo  de  su  Real  proteccion,  incorporandolos 
en  su  Real  corona  como  vasallos  suyos,  y  declarar  que  no  han 


253 

de  ser  encomendados  jamsis,  aim  por  via  de  deposito,  ni  han  de 
estar  sujetos  a  pension  alguna  de  mitas,  sean  las  que  fueren  ; 
segun  asi  se  previene  en  las  leyes  reales  de  Indias,  que  tratan 
sobre  reducciones  de  iudios,  que  libre  y  espontaneamente  se  suje- 
tan  al  yugo  del  Evangelic,  corao  sucede  en  estos  de  que  se 
trata  y  por  ser  asi  tambien  conveniente  para  la  mejor  in- 
truccion,  seguridad  y  quietud  de  dicha  reduccion.  Y  espes- 
rando  en  la  justificacion  y  cristiano  celo  de  Su  Seiloria  que  asi  lo 
efectuara  y  cumplira,  quedo  en  la  inteligencia  de  que  esta  re- 
ducion  para  su  espiritual  enseiianza  hade  correr  a  cargo  de  la 
compaiiia  ;  y  en  fe  de  ello,  asi  lo  prometo  como  Superior  suyo 
para  cuando  llegue  el  caso  de  fundarse.  Y  para  que  todo 
lo  dicho  conste  donde  convenga,  doy  la  presente  firmada  de  mi 
maao  y  refrendada  por  mi  infrascrito  Secretario  en  el  pueblo 
de  la  Candelaria  en  12  de  Noviembre  de  1762  aiios. 

Nicolas  CoNnrcci, 
Lorenzo  Balda. 

/Secretario. 


254 


a]st:xo  c. 

N°.  4. 

En  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay  en  veinte  dias 
del  mes  de  Marzo  de  mil  setecientos  sesenta  j  tres:  el  Seiior 
Don  Jose  Martines  Fontes,  Capitan  de  Dragones  del  Presidio  de 
Buenos  Ayres,  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  de  esta  Provincia 
del  Paraguay,  por  sii  Magestad  (que  Dios  guarde) ;  habiendo 
visto  lo  respondido  por  el  M.  R.  P.  Nicolas  Contucci  de  la  Com- 
paiiia  de  Jesus,  visitador  general  de  esta  Provincia,  al  exhorta- 
torio  expedido  por  S.S.  en  25  de  Octubre  de  1762  aiios,  en 
orden  a  que  se  sirviera  proveer  Keligiosos  Doctrineros  de  su 
sagrada  Religion  para  la  nueva  reduccion  de  los  indios  infieles 
Abipones,  y  la  resignacion  de  su  Rraa.  con  las  calidades  y  con- 
diciones  que  previene  en  su  respuesta  de  12-  de  Noviembre  del 
citado  ano,  (sobre  que  en  nombre  de  S.  M.  que  Dios  guarde,  le 
rindo  las  gracias,)  digo:  que  en  orden  u  las  condiciones  propu- 
estas  por  Su  Rraa.,  en  cuanto  a  que  no  se  hace  cargo  de  los 
fondos  para  la  fundacion  y  aliraentos  de  los  reducidos,  habien- 
doseles  ya  contribuido  con  parte  de  lo  ofrecido  por  la  Provincia, 
promete  S.S.  se  les  dara  cumplimiento  en  el  todo^  y  de  informar 
a  Su  Majestad,  para  que  se  les  contribuya  de  sus  reales  cajas 
con  lo  que  tiene  ordenado  y  dispuesto  por  sus  Leyes  de  Indias, 
y  lo  mismo  2:)ara  el  alimento  de  los  doctrineros:  cuyas  contribu- 
cionos  se  suponen  infalibles,  corao  ordenadas  y  mandadas  por  su 
Catolica  y  Real  piedad.  Y  e7i  esta  atencion  en  consecueacia  de 
lo  que  sohre  las  mtevas  I^ediceiones  dlspo?i€?i  las  Leyes  de  Indias^ 
en  nombre  de  Su  Majestad  declara  a  dicha  mieva  reduccion  de 
Indios  AhipotLes  y  otras  de  otras  JVaciones  Vecinas,  que  a  ella 
se  agregaren,  por  incorpovada  en  su  Heal  Corona,  juntarnente 
con  todas  las  den i as  que  de  esa  y  otras  Naciones  vecinas  del 
(Jhaco  seformdren  dnitro  de  esta  Gohernacion  d  una  y  d  otra 
Jianda  del  Rio  Paraguay,  al  cargo  de  los  H.  H.  P.  P.  Jesuitas; 
y  que  en  esta  razon  no  deberan,  en  manera  alguna,  esta  ni 
a<}uellas  ser  eiiconiendadas  en  cabeza  de  persona  alguna,  ni 
apremiadas  a  servicio  alguno  personal,  ni   gravadas  con  pension 


255 

alguna  de  Mitas,  seau  las  que  fueren,  segun  que  en  dichas  Leyes 
de  Indias  se  contiene,  especialmente  en  la  S'^  del  Tit.  15,  Lib.  6° 
de  las  Recopiladas.  Todo  lo  cual  asi  lo  declara,  manda  y  ordena, 
mientras  que  otra  cosa  no  dispone  S.  M,  a  quien  por  eso  se 
reserva  dar  cuenta  luego  en  la  primera  ocasion  que  se  ofrezca 
para  que  su  Real  Voluntad  determine  lo  que  mas  conviniere  a 
su  Real  servicio.     Y  firmo  de  que  doy  fe. 

Jose  Martines  Foxtes, 

Ante  mi 
Blas  de   Noceda, 
Escribano  Publico  de  Goberriacion  y  Hacienda. 


256 


ANEXO  C. 

Ko.  5. 

Exhorto  al  Rector  del  Colegio  sobre  que  provea  de  Sacerdote 
a  la  Reduccion  del  Rosario  de  los  Abipones. 

El  Maestre  de  Campo  general  Don  Fiilgencio  de  Yegros,  Teni- 
ente  General,  Justicia  Mayor  yXapitan  a  guerra  de  estaProvin- 
cia  del  Paraguay  por  S.  M.  que  Dios  gnarde  ;  hago  saber  al  M. 
R.  P.  Antonio  Miranda  de  la  Compaiiia  de  Jesus,  Rector  actual 
de  este  Colegio  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay,  de  como  el  P. 
Martin  Debruhoyer  de  la  niisma  sagrada  compania,  Doctrinero 
de  la  nueva  Reduccion  de  Nuestra  Seiiora  del  Rosario  de  los  Abi- 
pones, en  carta  de  25  de  Marzo,  me  participa  ballarse  actual- 
mente  gravemente  enfermo,  y  que  le  despache  embarcacion 
para  venir  a  este  Colegio  por  el  peligro  que  corre  de 
morirse,  y  que  provea  la  persona  en  su  lugar  quien  atienda 
aquellas  almas  ;  y  respecto  que  su  sagrada  religion  por  encargo 
de  este  Gobierno  y  con  espreso  consentimiento  del  M.  R.  P. 
Provincial  se  hizo  cargo  de  dicha  Doctrina  de  que  dio 
cuenta  a  S.  M.  con  toda  individualidad  el  Sefior  Gober- 
nador  y  Capitan  general;  se  paso  ocurso  a  Ya.  Ra.  por 
via  de  pronto  reraedio,  para  que  atendiendo  a  las  presentes 
circunstancias  se  sirva  providenciar  dicha  Doctrina  destinan- 
do  sujeto  para  ello,  en  el  interin  que  su  Superior  determine 
el  que  fuere  de  su  arbitrio,  y  S.  M.  lo  que  fuere  de  su  real 
agrado.  Para  lo  cual  en  su  real  nombre  exhorto  y  requiero  a 
Ya.  Ra.  y  de  mi  parte  ruego  y  suplico  con  todo  encarecimento, 
se  sirva  dar  pronta  provideiicia  en  lo  que  llevo  espresado.  tanto 
para  el  alivio  de  dicho  Religioso,  como  para  que  aquellas  almas 
redimidas  con  el  inestimable  precio  de  la  sangre  de  Nuestro 
Sefior  Jesu  Cristo,  no  vuelvan  a  las  densas  tinieblas  de  su  infi- 
dclidad;  que  de  hacerlo  asi  S.  M,  se  dara  por  bien  servido  y  yo 
quedare  con   todo  afecto,    siempre    y  cuando    que  vea  las    de 


257- 

Va.  Ra.  en  justicia,  y  es  fecho  en  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay  en 
10  dias  del  mes  de  Abril  de  1765. 

FULGEXCIO   DE    YeGKOS, 

Por  mandado  de  Su  Sria. 
Juan  Jose  Bazan, 
Escribcmo  Publico  de  Gohernacion  y  Hacienda. 

En  dicho  dia  mes  y  aiio,  hize  saber  el  exhorto  antecedente  al 
R.  P.  Rector  de  este  sagrado  Colegio  de  la  Compaiiia  de  Jesus, 
y  le  deje  por  tanto  autorizado  de  su  pedimento,  de  ello  doy  fe. 

BAZAN. 


258 

ANEXO. 

Ko.  6. 

El  Rey. — ^^Don  Jose  Martines  Fontes  Gobernador  y  Capitan 
General  de  la  Proviiicia  del  Paraguay.  En  carta  de  15  de 
Febrerode  1759,  participo  el  Gobernador  de  la  de  Bueuos-Aii'es 
Don  Pedro  de  Zeballos  los  estragos  que  hacian  los  indios 
del  Chaco,  los  oficios  que  pasu  con  el  Gobernador  del 
Tucuman,  y  con  vuestro  antecesor  Don  Jaime  Sanjust,  para 
facilitar  una  entrada  en  sus  tierras,  que  los  escarmentase 
y  las  conveniencias  que  podrian  resultar  si  se  lograba  reducirlos 
ya  en  el  sosiego  de  estas  tres  provincias  facilitandolas  la 
comunicacion  en  el  establecimiento  del  Coraercio  desde  Potosi 
a  aquel  puerto  por  los  Rios  Bermejo,  Paraguay  y  Parana,  y  re- 
firiendo  que  a  este  fin  convendria  repetir  las  eutradas  generales 
por  tres  6  cuatro  ailos ,  propuso  tambien  se  podria  destinar  a  la 
que  se  hiciese  por  aquella  provincia,  el  ramo  de  diezmos  que 
pagan  los  indios  de  las  Misiones  de  esa  del  Paraguay  por  no 
tener  fondos  de  que  costearla,  dejandole  a  su  disposicion.  En 
otra  carta  de  15  de  Octubre  del  propio  aiio,  dio  cuenta  el  niismo 
Gobernador  de  haberse  efectuado  la  mencionada  entrada  general 
quedando  muy  amedrentados  los  indios,  y  delo  muclio  que  habia 
contribuido  a  ella  el  referido  vuestro  antecesor.  En  otra  de  22 
de  Diciembre  de  1760,  espreso  asi  mismo  como  se  iban  ya  redu- 
ciendo  los  indios,  y  que  para  su  subsistencia  en  pueblos,  contaba 
cun  el  ranio  de  guerra  establecido  en  aquella  ciudad  para  pagar 
las  compaiiias  de  milieias  que  resguardaban  la  tieria  de  las  in- 
vasiones  de  los  indios  pampas  y  serranos,  mediante  que  reduci- 
dos  no  era  precisa  esta  tropa.  En  otra  de  26  de  Febrero  de 
1763,  noticio  el  vivo  deseo  que  manifestaban  los  indios  de  lograr 
su  conversion  ;  las  reducciones  que  estaban  ya  formadas, 
y  las  que  podrian  estableeerse  si  se  proporcionaban  los 
fondos  necesarios  a  su  raanutencion  ;  para  lo  cual  espreso 
se  podrian  aplicar  12  mil  pesos  annales  de  los  50  6»  60  mil 
que  se  recaudan  en  la  provincia  del  Tucuman  con  titulo  de  sisa, 
y  se  impuso  ^para  embarazar  las  hostilidades  que  ejecutaban 
los  ifidios  respecto  de  que  con  el  resto  quedaba  bastante  para 
subvenir  h  los  gastos  de  150  hombres  que  se  mantienen  en 
a(juellas  fronteras.  Y  finalmente  en  otra  carta  de  29  de  Octubre 


,     259^ 

de  1759  acompaiiada  de  varies  documentos,  ha  espuesto  el  Go- 
bernadorde  Tucuman  Don  Juaquin  de  Espinosa  lo  que  01  practico 
por  si  en  la  mencionada  entrada'^hasta  descubrir  el  camino  que 
tantos  an  OS  ha  se  deseaba,  los  reencuentros  que  tubo  con  los 
indios,  las  paces  que  celebro  con  ellos,  el  amor  con  que  los 
trato,  la  mucha  parte  que  tuvo  el  Gobernador  de  Buenos  Aires 
en  esta  espedicion  ;  y  lo  acreedores  que  se  hicieron  de  mi  real 
beniguidad  los  oficiales  que  comandaron  los  tercios  y  desta- 
camentos  en  aquella  campana,  que  enteramente  se  costeo  del 
ramo  de  sisa  ;  y  habitnidose  visto  todo  en  mi  consejo  de  las 
Indias,  con  lo  que  dijo  mi  Fiscal  y  cousultandome  sobre  ello, 
he  resuelto  entre  otras  cosas  que  no  se  haga  novedad  en  cuanto 
a  la  apertirra  del  camino  jwr  el  Rio  Bermejo  al  de  la  Plata  ;  y 
he  aplicado  los  diezmos  que  pagan  los  indios  de  esa  Provincia 
del  Paraguay  t\  las  entradas  que  se  hagan  por  la  de  Buenos- 
Aires  a  las  tierras  de  los  infieles,  dejando  al  cuidado  de  aquel 
Gobernador  la  direccion  de  este  ramo,  con  calidad  de  que  no  se 
repitan  tales  entradas,  si  se  reconoce  beneficio  en  el  fruto  de 
las  nuevas  misiones  para  atraera  los  indios  con  suavidad  ;  y  para 
que  estos  vivan  y  se  mantengan  en  las  nuevas  poblaciones  que  se 
hayan  de  hacer,  he  destinado,  desde  luego,  doce  mil  pesos  anuales 
del  total  del  ramo  de  sisa  de  la  provincia  del  Tucuman.  Lo  que  os 
partieipo  para  que  por  vuestra  parte  dispongais  en  lo  que  os  cor- 
responda  el  cumiilimiento  de  esta  mi  real  determinacion ;  en  inteli- 
gencia  de  que  por  despacho  de  este  dia  hago  el  niismo  encargo  a 
los  Gobernadores  de  Buenos  Aires  y  del  Tucuman,  y  doy  orden  a 
mi  Virrey  del  Peru  para  que  facilite  la  exaccion  de  los  doce 
mil  pesos  citados,  y  de  que  ha  merecido  mi  real  gratitud  el  dis- 
tinguido  celo  con  que  procedio  en  el  asunto  el  referido  vuestro 
antecesor  Don  Jaime  Sanjust.     Fecho  en  Buen  Retiro  a  12  de 

Febrero  de  1764. 

Yo  EL  Ret, 
Por  mandado  del  Rey  Nuestro  Senor, 
Don  Juan  Manuel  Crespo, 

Hay  tres  rubricas. 

Al  Gobernador  del  Paraguay  participandole  las  providencias 
dadas  con  motivo  de  la  entrada  general  que  se  hizo  a  las  tierras 
de  los  indios  del  Chaco. 


260 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.  1. 


ClfiDULA. 
El  Ret. 

Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  de  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion 
y  Provincia  del  Paraguay. 

En  carta  de  30  de  Diciembre  de  1763  y  11  de  Enero 
'de  1764,  participais  el  estado  de  las  nuevas  Reducciones 
de  indios  Mbayas  y  Abipones,  puestas  al  cuidado  de  los 
Religiosos  de  la  Compaiiia  de  Jesus,  pidiendo  se  defiera 
a  las  pretensiones  hechas  por  el  Provincial  de  la  misma 
Religion  y  contenidas  en  los  testimonies  que  acompaiiais 
en  cuanto  a  las  subsistencias  de  ambas  reducciones,  nian- 
tencion  de  los  Doctrineros  ocupados  en  ellas  y  relevacion  de 
Mita,  y  encomiendas  a  los  indios.  Y  visto  en  mi 
consejo  de  las  ludias,  con  lo  que  dijo  mi  Fiscal,  se 
ha  tenido  presente  que  para  la  formacion  de  pueblos^ 
mantencion  de  Doctrineros  y  demas  gastos  precisos  para  estas 
reducciones,  y  otras  que  sehagan  de  los  indios  que  habitan  el 
Ghaco,  esta  tomada  providencia  por  la  Real  Cedula  que  se  os 
dirijio  con  fecha  de  12  de  Febrero,  del  propio  afio  de  1764,  la 
que  hareis  observar  puntualmente  ;  y  por  lo  respectivo  a  la 
referida  exenciou  de  encomiendas  y  mitas  que  se  solicita, 
mando  que  observandose  con  estos  Indios  el  contenido  de  la 
Ley.  3.  Tit.  5.  Lib.  6°  de  la  Recopilacion  de  las  de  esos  Do- 
minios,  scan  exentos  de  ellas,  y  de  mis  Reales  tributos  por 
tiempo  de  los  diez  auos  que  se  prefinen  en  la  misma  ley. 

Del  Pardo  a  29  de  Enero  de  1765  ; 

Yo  EL  Rey, 
Por  mandado  del  Rey  Nuestro  Senor. 
Don  Juan  Manuel  Crespo, 

Hay  tres  riibricas. 

Al  Gobernador  del  Paraguay  con  noticia  de  lo  que  se  ha 
de  observar  para'la  suhsistencia  de  las  Reducciones  de  Indios 
Mhayds  y  Abij^ones  establecidos  en  aquella  Provincia, 


261 


ANEXO  C. 

N^  8. 


CfiDULA. 

El  Rey. 

Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  de  la  Provincia  de 
Paraguay  :  En  carta  de  26  de  Enero  del  afio  jjroximo  pasado 
participais  acompaiiando  varies  documentos  que  habiendo  pre- 
tendido  nn  Cacique  de  la  Nacion  Abipona  reduccion  para  mas 
de  no  vent  a  familias,  no  solo  los  recibieron  los  vecinos  de  esa 
Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  con  benevolencia,  sino  que  les  fundaron 
yn  pueblo  intitulandole  Nuestra  Seiiora  del  Rosario  del  Timbo 
franqueandoles,  no  obstante  su  probeza,  el  ganado  vacuno 
y  lanar  que  necesital.an  para  mantenerse  ;  que  encargada 
esta  reduccion  a  los  regulares  de  la  Compania,  empe- 
zaron  desde  muy  luego  los  indios  a  manifestar  su  incons- 
tancia  y  deseo  de  vol  verse  a  los  montes;  que  espulsados  aquellos 
regulares  y  puesto  en  su  lugar  a  Don  Lorenzo  de  la  Torre,  sujeto 
de  toda  probidad  y  cieucia,  reconocio  el  antiguo  libertinage  qne 
apetecian  los  indios,  y  lo  arriesgado  que  estaba  su  vida  ;  y 
dando  cuenta  de  todo,  examinado  este  punto  en  cabildo  abierto, 
se  resolvi(')  enviar  un  nuev  o  destacamento  de  espanolesque  res- 
guardasen  al  doctrinero  y  embarazase  cualquier  violeucia  y  ex- 
torsion  ;  y  que  h.iyendo  poco  despues  los  mas  de  los  indios,  ma- 
tando  a  las  personas  que  encontraron  en  la  estancia  de  un  espa- 
fiol,  se  encargo  a  los  pocos  que  quedaron  que  en  caso  de  que 
volviesen  los  fugitivos,  les  manif estasen  la  buena  acogida  que  se 
les  liaria,  no  obstante  sus  insultos,  como  mudasen  de  costum- 
bres  y  obedeciesen  al  Doctrinero;  lo  que  baciais  presente  para 
que  OS  ordene  lo  qiie  debeis  ejecutar.  En  otra  carta  de  12  de 
Febrero  siguiente  partieipa  lo  mismo,  con  referencia  a  los  docu- 
mentos que  incluye  esa  Ciudad,  anadiendo  los  dispendios  que 
hicieron  sus  vecinos  para  establecer  la  mencionada  reduccion  y 
abastecerla  de  ganado,  y  las  providencias  que  se  tomaron  para 


262 

que  existiendo  alli  los  indios,  abrazasen  despues  de  catequizados 
la  fe  Catulica,  lo  que  no  ha  tenido  efecto  por  los  aconteciraien- 
tos  referidos.  Y  habiendose  visto  en  mi  consejo  de  las  Indias 
con  lo  que  dijo  mi  Fiscal,  y  consultandome  sobre  ello,  he 
resuelto,  aprobandoos  lo  ejeoutado  en  este  particular,  concur- 
rais  por  vuestra  parte,  como  os  los  mando,  al  mejor  y  mas 
suave  tratamiento  de  los  j^ocos  indios  Abipones  que  han 
quedado  en  la  referia  reduccion,  y  de  los  demas  que  vuelvano 
acudau  a  ella,  disponiendo  ten^an  sacerdotes  seculares  o 
regulares  de  ejemplar  Adda  y  costumbres  que  los  instruyan  y 
catequizen  como  corresponde :  en  inteligencia  de  que  por 
despacho  de  la  fecha  de  este,  hago  igual  encargo  a  ese  Re- 
verendo  Obispo. 

Fecho  en  Madrid  a  15  de  Julio  de  1769. 

Yo  El  Ray, 
Por  mandado  del  Rey  Nuestro  Senor.     * 
Nicolas  de  Mollixedo, 

Hay  tres  rubricas. 

Al  Gobernador  del  Paraguay  sobre  el  buen  tratamiento  que 
se  debe  hacer  a  los  indios  de  la  reduccion  de  Nuestra  Sefiora  del 
Rosario  del  Timbo, 


263 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.  9. 

En  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay,  en  10  dias  del 
mes  de  Noviembre  de  1762  aiios.  Habiendose  juntado  en 
esta  sala  de  acuerdo  los  Senores  del  Ilustre  Cabildo  Justicia 
y  Regimiento  de  ella,  de  orden  y  mandato  del  Senor  Don  Jose 
Martines  Fontes,  Capitan  de  Dragones  del  presidio  de  Buenos 
Aires,  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  de  esta  Provincia, 
con  los  Gefes  militares  y  muchos  reforraados,  hombres  buenos 
y  de  los  primeros  de  esta  Republica,  y  estando  asi  juntos 
y  congregados,  dijo  Su  Senoria  que  esta  Junta  6  Cabildo 
abierto  ya  se  dejaba  entender  a  que  fin  se  dirijia,  por 
que  todas  las  circumstancias  que  ban  precedido  lo  insi- 
jauaban.  Que  nadie  ignoraba  la  solicitud  y  empeilo  con  que 
la  Nacion  Abipona  nos  vino  a  buscar  rogandonos  con 
la  Paz  y  pidiendo  al  mismo  tiempo  reduccion  para  vivir 
sujetos  bajo  la  Ley  del  Evangelio.  Que  tambien  era  constante 
a  todos,  que  la  importancia  y  gravedad  de  este  negocio,  le  obligo 
a  cortar  la  visita  en  que  entendia,  por  acudir  con  la  prontitud 
que  exigian  su  empleo  y  conciencia,  u  un  asunto  tan  serio  como 
6til,  y  de  haber  bajado  con  efecto  hasta  las  tierras  del  Tinibo, 
y  abocadose  con  el  Cacique  y  sus  vasallos,  oyendo  sus  suplicas 
y  examino  sus  deseos  y  los  motives  que  los  inducian  a  la  pre- 
tendida  reduccion  ;  y  despues  de  uu  prolijo  examen  y  atenta  re- 
flexion, asi  Su  Seiioria  como  el  Reverendo  Padre  Francisco 
Burges  de  la  Compaiiia  de  Jesus,  como  el  Maestre  de  Cam- 
po  general  y  otros  hombres  de  ser  sus  asociados,  juzgaron  todos 
que  los  indios  procedian  con  sinceridad,  que  sus  deseos  eran  ver- 
daderos,  y  que  apetecian  la  vida  sosegada  que  se  goza  en  una 
cristiana  Reducion.  En  fuerza  de  este\lictamen  uniforme,  des- 
pues de  hechas  las  capitulaciones  regulai'es  que  concernian  a  la 
paz,  cargando  todo  el  peso  de  la  consideracion  sobre  el  beneficio 
que  resulta  a  toda  esta  su  araada  Gobernacion,  y  poniendo  igual- 
mente  su  mira  en  el  servicio  de  ambas  magestades,  se  habia  obli- 
gado  a  bajar  para  el  proximo  Febrero  a  las  mismas  tierras  del 
Timbo,  a  plantarles  en  ellas  un  pueblo  proporcionado  a  su  mas 


264 

comodo  y  solido  establecimiento,  bien  que  S.  S.  en  la  actuacion 
de  las  insiuuadas  diligencias,  y  en  no  dejar  ignoradas  sus  prome- 
sas,  hizo  cuanto  la  obligacion  de  si;  empleo  le  pedia,  y  cuanto 
dictaba  la  prudencia,  por  que  sei'ia  desacierto  no  abra- 
zar,  obligandose  u  ejecutar  an  partido  tan  ventajoso 
a  todo  el  comun  de  la  Provineia.  Que  los  demas 
raedios  que  se  pudieran  practical',  no  eran  tan  seguros 
ni  tan  utiles,  como  la  misma  experiencia  la  comprueba.  Que 
harta  visible  ha  sido  a  todos  el  desvelo  de  S.  S.  desde  la  primera 
hora  que  entro  a  esta  provineia,  sin  perdonar  fatigas  ni  trabajos, 
por  solicitar  personalmente  la  defensa  y  mejora  de  la  provineia 
perseguida  y  hostilizada  de  esta  y  otras  naciones  del  Chaco. 
Mas  todo  elinvai'iable  empefio  de  S.  Sa.  en  redimir  a  la  provineia 
de  tantos  quebrautos  y  estragos  como  padece  de  los  Infieles, 
aun  no  nos  aseguraba  nuestras  vidas  y  bienes,  quedando  espu- 
estos  a  la  fiereza  de  los  barbaros.  Si  bien  que  lograbamos  al- 
gunos  buenos  efectos  nacidos,  asi  de  acordonar  el  Rio,  como  de 
otras  industrias  y  proyectos,  con  que  S.  Sa.  se  ha  dedicado  a 
rehacer  el  ramo  de  guerra  que  hallo  casi  exhausto  de  fondos. 
Mas  estos  arbitrios  si  bien  hasta  aqui  se  ha  mirado  como  pre- 
cisos  e  inescusables  pero  para  la  sucesivo,  fuera  de  ser  muy 
costosos,  seran  tambien  poco  durables.  Lo  que  si  promete 
duracion  y  permanencia  y  asegura  nuestra  quietud,  "sera  la  idea- 
da  fundacion:  que  no  deja  de  conocer  S.  Sa.  lo  grande  y  lo 
arduo  de  la  obra.  Grande  por  que  'mira  a  ganar  almas  para 
Dios  y  nuevos  vasallos  para  el  Rey.  Arduo  por  que  veia 
S.  Sa.  con  harta  lastima  y  dolor,  que  ni  los  fondos  de  este  noble 
vecindario,  ni  las  haciendas  de  esta  real  iDrovincia,  son  tan  pin- 
gues.  Pero,  no  obstante,  la  misma  esperiencia  hace  creer  y 
esperar  a  S.  Sa.-  que  todos  querran  muy  eficazmente  cooperar 
de  su  parte  a  la  deseada  poblacion.  Que  tambien  tiene  muy 
presentes  en  su  reconocimiento  los  esfuerzos  con  que  en 
otras  ocasiones  de  menor  urgencia  y  utilidad,  ha  cooperado  con 
honrada  generosidad  todo  el  Cuerpo  de  la  Provineia  ;  y  que  asi 
lo  ha  hecho  saber  al  Rey  y  se  halla  S.  Sa.  actualmente  muy  de- 
terminado  a  informar  de  nuevo  a  S.  M.  sobre  los  fomentos  y 
auxilio  que  intenta  toda  esta  su  Gobernacion  en  el  establecimi- 
ento de  la  nueva  Reduccion,  jjara  que  S.  M.  instruido  muy  par- 


265 

ticularmente  del  merito  de  los  Seuores  vecinos  que  mas  se  se- 
iialasen,  y  en  la  liberalidad  de  la  provincia,  premie  a  todos  con 
su  Real  liberalidad,  Ultimamente  deseaba  prevenir,  que  serau 
muy  fuera  del  animo  e  intencion  suya,  y  aun  para  S.  S.  materia 
de  agudo  sentimento,  el  que  sepa  que  no  se  proceda  con  la 
mayor  suavidad  en  la  eleccion  de  las  contribuciones,  por  que, 
para  que  Dies  eche  su  bendicion  desde  el  Cielo  ii  una  obra  de 
esta  naturaleza,  nada  podria  estorbar  tanto  como  los  violencias 
V  las  just  as  que  j  as  que  formase  el  piiblico  contra  cualquiera  es- 
pecie  de  apremio.  Por  tanto,  no  solo  se  prometia  de  la  muy 
noble  generosidad  de  los  Seiiores  vecinos,  el  que  se  esforzran  a 
buena  ley  de  Vasallos  a  facilitar,  con  sus  ganados,  haciendas  y 
otros  efectos  del  pais,  segun  la  posibilidad  de  cada  uno,  tan 
fitii  fundacion,  sino  que  igualmente  esperaba  que  la  Seixoria  del 
Cabildo,  se  desvelara  a  fin  de  que  en  la  provincia  no  se  vea 
sombra  de  violencia.  Por  que  estos  medios  duros  sierapre 
tienen  malos  efectos  ;  fuera  de  que  a  Vasallos  tan  amautes  de 
su  Rey  y  a  unos  vecinos  en  que  tanto  sobresale  el  deseo  del 
bien  publico,  basta  para  motivo  y  para  impulso,  la  cons- 
tante  lealtad  eon  que  los  recouoce  S.  Sa  lleno  de  eomplacencia, 
muy  sacrificados  al  servicio  del  Rey.  Y  aun  tambien  se  cree 
S.  Sa  sin  lisongearse,  que  el  amor  y  buena  ley  que  toda  la 
provincia  le  profesa,  servini  de  niucho  impulso  para  que  cada 
uno  exiba  y  franquee  para  la  espresada  fundacion  cuanto  sea 
neccsario  para  el  mas  cabal  cumplimiento  de  sus  deseos.  Tan 
buen  concept©  como  este  le  debia  toda  esta  su  amada  Goberna- 
cion,  y  tan  firmes  esperanzas  f  undaba  sobre  los  nobles  corazones 
de  todos  sus  subditos  de  quienes  esperaba  aun  mas  de  lo  que 
insinua  ;  y  mas,  cuando  es  bien  visible  que  en  este  su  empeiio 
no  pone  la  mira  a  otro  fin,  que  en  satisf  acer  a  las  muchas  obliga- 
ciones  en  que  el  Rey  le  ha  constituido,  ni  tampoco  le  llevaba 
otro  objeto  la  atencion  que  el  servicio  de  ambas  Magestades, 
y  el  anhelo  de  poner  en  mejor  pie,  y  dar  mejor  semblante  a 
toda  esta  su  amada  Provincia.  Para  cuyo  efecto  asi  mismo 
habia  suplicado  al  Ilmo  y  Reverendisimo  Sefior  Obispo  D. 
Manuel  Antonio  de  la  Torre,  a  que  se  dignase  concurrir  en  este 
acto  a  presidir  y  esponer  su  dictameu,  y  por  la  indisposicion  de 
S.  S.  I.  escribio  carta  al  Senor  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General 


266 

espresando  en  ella  la  raucha  utilidad  y  conveuiencia  que  resul- 
taba  de  la  dicha  poblacion  en  servicio  de  ambas  Magestades, 
la  cual  se  leyo  en  este  acto,  y  mandu  S.  Sa.  se  copie  consecu- 
tivo  a  este  acuerdo  ;  y  enterados  los  individuos  de  este 
ayuntaraiento  y  demas  militares  y  vecinos  ocurrentes 
respondieron  unnanimes  y  conformes  que  conveuia  grandemente 
la  dicha  poblacion  al  servicio  de  ambas  magestades,  bien  y 
utilidad  de  esta  provincia  ofreciendo  cada  uno  libreraente  las 
cantidades  que  les  permite  su  posibilidad;  y  acordaron  que  se 
destinen  sujetos,  asi  para  esta  Ciudad  como  para  la  campaiia, 
para  que  con  la  misma  dulzura  y  suavidad  que  en  este  acto, 
pidan  donativos  a  los  demas  sujetos  y  casas  restantes  de  la  Pro- 
vincia, lo  cual  se  concluyo  y  lo  firraaron  de   que  doy  fe. 

Jose  Martines  Fontes,  Jose  Axtonio  Carrilt.o,  Pedro 
MoNYE,  Juan  Bautista  de  Goibi,  Jose  Canete,  Francisco 
de  Ascona,  Rafael  Tullo,  Fulgencio  de  Yegros,  Juan 
Jose  Gamarra,  Prudencio  Contreras,  Lorenzo  Rec.u.de, 
Jose  de  Roa,  Juan  Jose  de  los  Rios,  Francisco  de  Medina, 
Jose  Borbon,  Francisco  Espinola,  Manuel  de  Ordas  y 
Robles,  Juan  Estevan  Bogado,  Antonio  de  Vera  Aragon, 
Sebastian  de  Leon  y  Zarate,  Jose  del  Cazal,  Jose  Luis 
Bareiro,  Jose  Fortunato  Ruiz  de  Arelcano,  Juan  Miguel 
DE    Sugasti,  Francisco    de  Aguero,  Domingo   de  Flecha. 

Ante  mi. 

Lucas  Dias  Conteros, 

Escrihano  Publico  de  Goher)iaclon  y  Cavildo. 

Nota:  La  carta  del  Obispo  que  esta  a  continnacion  no  con- 
tiene  mas  que  la  aprobacion  del  pensamiento  emitido  en  la  acta 
antecedente  del  Cabildo  :  y  por  tanto  la  escusamos. 


26r 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.    10. 

En  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay  all  dias  del  mes 
de  Agosto  de  1766  aiios.  Habiendo  el  Senor  Gobernador  y 
Capitau  General  de  esta  Provincia  convoeado  a  Cavildo  abierto, 
con  la  ocasion  de  haber  el  Reverendo  Padre  Geronirao  Rejon 
Doctrinero  de  la  Reduccion  de  los  Abipones,  representado  por 
carta  politica  sobre  hallarse  en  animo  de  trasladar  el  pueblo  de 
la  reducion  a  otro  lugar  mas  comodo,  sin  embargo  de  tenerlo 
comunicado  a  su  Senoria  verbalmente  la  asignacion  para  el 
nuevo  pueblo,  distante  del  actual  como  una  legua  poco  mas  6 
menos,  representando  en  dicha  carta  los  inconvenientes  que  pade- 
cen  dicha  situacion  vieja,  y  de  las  utilidades  que  se  seguirian  de 
la  nueva  situacion,  que  todo  consta  de  dicha  carta  y  pidiendo  al 
mismo  tiempo  se  les  contribuya  con  los  fomentos  necesarios, 
para  la  manutencion  de  la  familia  y  un  pie  de  estancia  para  en 
adelaute  ;  a  cuyo  fin,  estando  congregados  los  Seiiores  del  Ilus- 
tre  Cabildo  Justicia  y  Regimiento  con  presidencia  de  dicho 
Senor  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General,  y  los  vecinos  principales 
de  esta  Ciudad,  se  leyo  dicha  carta  en  raodo  inteligible,  y  pro- 
puso  dicho  Seiior  Gobernador  en  atencion  a  la  gran  utilidad  y 
servicio  de  Dios  nuestro  Seiior,  que  se  seguiria  en  el  adelan- 
tamiento  de  dicha  reducion,  que  cada  cual  contribuyese  con  un 
donativo  gracioso  de  todo  genero  de  abastos  y  ganado  vacuno 
para  el  pie  de  estancia  que  se  pide. 

Con  lo  cual  ofrecieron  cada  uno  las  cantidades  que  constan  de 
una  memoria  de  sus  nombres.  Y  previno  S.  S.  que  para  el  mis- 
mo ^efecto  de  donativo,  por  no  haber  concurrido  mas  vecinos, 
despachar  providencia  en  toda  la  jurisdiccion  de  esta  Ciudad, 
cometida  a  los  Sargentos  Mayores  y  Jueces  Comisionados.  Y 
se  cerro  este  Cabildo  abierto,  rindiendo  las  gracias  dicho  Seiior 
Gobernador  a  todos  los  presentes  por  el  donativo  a  que  se  ban 
dignado  ;    y  mandaron  sus  Senorias  se  copie   dicha  carta  del 


268 

Padre  doctrinero  a  continuacion  de  este,  y  lo  firmaron  de  que 
doy  fe. 

FuGENCio  DE  Yegros,  Jose  Antonio  Carrillo,  Pablo 
Cabanas,  Jose  Antoxio.Acosta  Freire,  Tomas  Devalos  y 
Peralta,  Jose  del  Casal,  Antonio  Caballero  de  Anasco, 
Domingo  Antonio  Bermudes,  Juan  Jose  Gamarra,  Bernardo 
DE  Haedo,  Vicente  Anselmo  de  Fleitas,  Marcos  Salina, 
Martin  de  Asuaga,  Jose  Ferreira  Suarez,  Blas  Bareiro, 
Pedro  Jose  de  Vera,  Jose  Ignacio  Moreno,  Olegario  Mora. 

Anti  mi. 

Lucas  Diaz  Canteros, 

Escrihano  Publico  de  Gobernacion  y  Gahildo. 

Nota:  La  carta  del  Padre  Cura  citada  arriba  y  que  esta  a 
continuacion  del  acta,  no  contiene  mas  que  la  conveniencia  de 
mudar  de  situacion  la  reducion,  su  foment©  y  el  donativo  que 
pide  ;  por  lo  que  se  escusa  su  transcripcion. 


269 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.  11. 

En  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay  en  10  dias  del  mes 
de  Euero  de  1767.  Habiendo  el  Senor  Don  Carlos  Morfi,  Te- 
niente  Coronel  de  los  Reales  ejercitos  de  S.  M.  (queDios  guarde) 
su  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  de  esta  provincia,  convocado  a 
Cabildo  abierto  a  los  Sefiores  individuos  de  este  ayuntamiento 
y  a  los  vecinos  existentes  en  esta  Ciudad  y  en  la  Campafia, 
y  habiendose  congregado  en  esta  su  sala  de  ayuntamiento, 
les  propuso  dicho  Sr.  Gobernador  de  corao  era  conveniente  que 
para  el  adelantamiento  y  restablecimiento  de  la  I'educcion  de  la 
nacion  Abipona  era  necesario  contribuirse  per  esta  provincia  con 
aniraales  de  todas  especies  a  cuyo  fin  de  sirviese  contribuir  con 
lo  que  cada  uno  voluntariaraente  ofreciesen  :  con  lo  cual 
de  enterados  cada  uno  ofrecieron  lo  que  consta  por  una 
raemoria  que  se  formo  de  las  cantidades  y  especies  de  qiae  cada 
uno  ofrecieron  ;  con  lo  cual  se  coneluyo  el  Cabildo  abierto  y  lo 
firraaron  sus  Senoi'ias  con  los  vecinos  que  concurrieron  de  que 
doy   fe. 

Carlos  Morfi,  Antonio  Caballero  Anasco,  Bernardo  de 
Otazu,  Luis  Jabier  de  Cortazar,  Jose  Canete,  Jose  Antonio 
Carrillo,  Jose  Antonio  Acosta,  Sebastian  de  Leon  Sarate, 
Cristobal  Dominguez  Obelar,  Francisco  Javier  Benites, 
Jose  de  la  Pena,  Julian  Legal,  Juan  Miguel  Sugasti, 
Marcos  Salinas,  Pedro  Miguel  Burde,  Vicente  Martines 
ViANA.,  Bernardo  de  Haedo,  Domingo  Antonio  Bermudes, 
Jose  Ferreira  Suares,  Estevan  Insaurralde,  Juan  Jose 
RoLON,    Rafael    Servin,    Juan    Felix    Fernandez,    Leon 

GiMENES. 

Anti  mi. 

TyuCAS  Dias  Canteros. 
Escribano  Pvhlico  de  Oobernacion  y  Cabildo. 


270 


ANEXO   C. 

No.   12. 

En  la  Ciiidad  le  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay  a  1°  de  Junio  de 
1776  alios  ;  los  Seiiores  del  ilustre  Cabildo  Justicia  y  Regi- 
miento  se  juntaron  en  esta  sala  Capitular  de  sus  acuerdos,  con 
presideucia  del  Sr.  Coronel  D.  Agustin  Fernando  de  Pineda,  y 
Capitan  General  de  dicha  Provincia  ;  y  estando  asi  juntos  y 
congregados  enconsorcio  de  los  cabos  militares,  otros  oficiales, 
varios  sujetos  de  distincion  y  dijeron  :  que  por  cuanto  se  halla 
en  esta  Ciudad  el  Cacique  Don  Etazurin  Nasac,  General  de  varias 
naciones  de  indios  infieles  que  habitan  el  Gran  Chaco,  como 
tambien  otro  Cacique  de  su  parcialidad  nombrado  Peleysogur, 
a  quieues  por  conducto  del  Gobernador  de  Armas  de  la  Ciudad 
de  Santa  Fe  se  ban  mandado  venir  a  esta  Ciudad  por  el  Senor 
Gobernador  y  el  ilustre  Cabildo,  afin  de  formalizar  las  paces  y 
reducion  que  con  esta  provincia  ban  solicitado,  segun  todo  con 
distincion  e  individualidad  se  reconoce  en  el  acuerdo  celebrado 
en  esta  razon  con  fecha  de  26  de  Marzo  de  este  ano.  Por  tanto, 
estando  en  la  misraa  sala  los  citados  Caciques  acordaron  los 
Seiiores  vocales  de  esta  Junta,  unanimes,  se  examinen  a 
diclios  indios  Caciques,  si  verdaderamente  desean  estable- 
cerse  en  el  lugar  de  los  Hemolinos  de  esta  jurisdiccion  y  si 
es  su  animo  abrazar  la  Santa  Fe  de  Jesu  Cristo,  y  guardar 
en  todo  tan  santa  religion,  corao  asi  mismo  observar  una  firme 
paz  con  la  provincia,  sus  estantes  y  habitantes,  y  con  cuantos 
cristianos  habiten  esos  parajes  y  naveguen  el  Rio,  a  cuyas 
raargenes  se  ban  de  establecer.  Y  habiendoseles  examinado  en  la 
lengua  castellana  y  guarani,  se  reconoce  no  entender  ambas,  por 
cuya  razon  se  les  nombro  por  interpretes  a  Don  Fulgencio  Cha- 
parro,  inteligente  en  su  idiorna  por  haber  sido  cautivo  de  esta 
nacion  y  haberse  criado  con  ellos,  como  asi  mismo  a  Don  Se- 
bastian Sitalin,  Cacique  del  Pueblo  deSan  Javier  jurisdiccion  de 
de  la  Ciudad  de  Santa  Fe;  y  estando  ambos  en  la  misma  sala  se 
les  hizo  notorio  el  nombramiento  fecho  en  sus  personas,  quienes 
inteligenciados  en  el,  lo  aceptaron  y  en  su  virtud,  por  ante    mi 


271 

el  presente  escribano,  les  recibieron  S.S.  juraraento,  el  que 
ejecutaron  a  Dios  y  una  cruz  segun  derecbo,  so  cuyo  cargo 
prometieron  usar  el  oficio  de  interpretes  fielmente.  Y  habiendo 
inteligenciado  a  los  citados  Caciques  de  las  antecedentes  pre- 
guntas  hecbas  per  los  seiiores  de  esta  Junta,  respondieron  por 
dichos  interpretes  aceptar  en  todo  lo  que  se  les  propone  y  que 
es  su  verdadero  deseo  profesar  la  fe  de  Jesu  Cristo,  y  que 
procederan  honradamente  con  cuantos  cristianos  transiten  esos 
parajes  y  naveguen  el  Rio.  Y  vistos  por  dichos  Seiiores  el 
allanamiento  de  dichos  caciques,  por  si  y  a  nombre  de  todos  los 
suyos,  acordaron  sin  discrcpancia  se  les  pase  a  poner 
las  condiciones  que  deben  observar  en  estas  paces, 
las  que  ban  de  guardar  en  la  Reducion  y  las  obligaciones  en 
que  queda  la  provincia  relativas  a  su  conservacion,  tranquilidad 
y  sosiego,  sierapre  que  sus  operaciones  condigan  con  el  deseo  que 
por  ahora  manifiestan.  Primeramente  se  les  proraete  por  parte 
de  la  Provincia  que  incontinenti,  del  fondo  del  ramo  de  guerra, 
se  contribuira  a  su  principal  Cacique  en  demostracion  del  apre- 
cio  y  estimacion  que  hace  dicha  provincia  de  el,  y  de  los  suyos, 
con  lo  siguiente.  Chupa  galoneada,  calzon  respectivo,  som- 
brero galoneado,  caraisa  y  calzoncillo  bianco,  poncho  balandran 
y  un  baston  con  puiio  de  plata  correspondiente  a  su  persona. 
Que  asi  mismo  se  regalara  a  su  corapanero  el  otro  caci- 
que y  a  los  demas  que  le  acompaiian.  Que  para  manifest- 
acion  de  la  firme  amistad  de  la  provincia  pasara  el  Teniente 
Mayor  D.  Bernardo  Aris,  vecino  que  los  ha  conducido^  d  su 
costa  d  esta,  d  acompanarlos  d  su  regreso,  hasta  las  tolderias  de 
sus  habitaciones,  llevando  consigo  seis  companeros  y  algunos  re- 
galosparalos  otros  Caciques  que  alia  quedaron,  a  iin  de  que  con 
todos  ellos  se  vuelvan  a  la  provincia.  Que  en  tanto  se  practica 
esta  forzosa  diligencia,  pues  precisamente  ban  de  conducirse  con 
sus  raugeres  e  hijos  y  todos  sus  bienes,  les  promete  la  provincia 
tenerles  preparadas  sus  habitaciones  y  una  Capilla  en  el  lugar  que 
se  reconozca  mas  aparente  para  su  mejor  establecimiento  y  la- 
branzas,  en  esta  banda  del  Rio  ;  y  cuando  en  ella  totalmente 
no  se  encuentre  proporcion,  se  verificard  en  la  otra  banda.  Que 
para  el  mejor  exito  de  este  asunto  les  promete  la  provincia  man- 
dar  sujetos  inteligentes  de  experiencia  y  buena  conducta  que 


272 

inspeccionen  esos  campos  y  le  seualen  el  mejor  y  mas  acomodado 
lugar  para  su  residencia  y  tambien  para  la  fundacion  de  una 
estaucia  que  se  les  ha  de  establecer  ;  quedando  diputados  para 
este  efecto  el  Seiior  Alcalde  de  segundo  voto,  el  Seiior  Procura- 
dor  Sindico  General,  y  los  Seiiores  Sargento  Mayor  de  Provin- 
cia  y  Comisario  de  Caballeria,  Don  A.  Anselmo  de  Fleitas  ; 
atentas  las  distinguidas ,  circurastancias  de  estos  sujetos,  a 
quienes  para  el  mejor  acierto,  se  les  entregaran  instrucciones 
por  el  Sr.  Capitan  General.  Que  asi  mismo  les  promete  la 
provincia  poblar  una  estancia  de  ganados  mayores  y  meuores 
para  su  manutencion,  cuyo  numero  no  se  les  puede  senalar, 
hasta  imponerse  de  lo  que  produzca  el  donativo  que  sin  perdida 
de  tiempo  se  ha  solicitar  su  verificacion.  Que  esta  estancia  ha 
de  ser  gobernada  por  un  capataz  espanol  que  la  provincia  nom- 
brara,  para  que  segun  lasordenes  del  Padre  Cura  que  se  les  ha  de 
poner,  se  ejecuten  los  gastos  muy  necesarios  para  su  manuten- 
cion ;  por  que  la  Provincia  se  halla  en  el  mayor  atraso  a  causa 
de  los  continuos  repetidos  robos  de  ganados  que  le  han  hecho 
los  indios  del  Chaco.  Que  para  sus  referidas  labranzas  les 
ha  de  eoncurrir  la  provincia  con  bueyes,  herramientas  y  semillas, 
para  el  principio  de  ellas  :  en  cuyas  propuestas  no  encontraran  la 
menor  falta  ;  antes  si,  segun  las  circumstancias  que  vayan  re- 
sultando  al  tiempo  de  su  establecimiento  y  despues  de  el,  se 
estendera  la  provincia  como  corresponda  a  suo  facultades,  es- 
forzando  en  lo  posible  sus  dichas  promesas  y  propuestas  ;  y 
habiendo  dichos  interpretes  hecho  entender  los  siete  capitulos 
antecedentes,  uuo  por  uno,  a  los  dichos  caciques,  convinieron  en 
todos  ellos,  demostrando  en  sus  semblantes  placer ;  y  por 
dichos  inteii^retes  dieron  las  gracias  al  Sr.  Presidente  y  demas 
Sefiores  Capitulares  y  asistentes  de  esta  Junta.  En  cuyo  estado 
acordaron  asi  mismo  les  espresen  dichos  interjjretes,  es  forzoso 
se  instruyan  de  las  obligaciones  a  que  quedan  afectos,  en  cor- 
respondencia  de  la  amistad  y  paz  que  les  promete  la  provincia, 
de  sus  contribuciones  y  costos,  a  fin  de  que  en  mingun  tiempo 
se  rompa  esta,  y  sea  perpetua  :  y  hechoseles  saber  asi  por  los 
citados  interpretes,  dijei'on  :  que  con  grato  gusto  oirian  los  que 
se  les  prevenia  y  que  entendido  responderan  segun  de  la 
naturaleza   de   las  propuestas.     Primeramente  que  han  de  ad- 


27a 

mitir  un  sacerdote  en  calidad  de  cura,  para  que  les  doctrine  e 
instruya  en  los  ritos  de  nuestra  santa  Ley,  al  que  deben 
respetar  y  venerar  como  a  Ministro  del  Altisirao.  Segundo  que 
los  hijos  parvulos  que  traigan  han  de  ser  bautizados  a  los  tiempos, 
que  el  sacerdote  cura  estime  eonveniente;  ejecutandoselomismo 
con  losdemas  que  nazcan  en  la  reduccion,  sobre  loque  no  han  de 
manifestar  desgano  ni  repugnancia  como  tampoco  en  que  dicho 
cura  ensene  la  doctrina  d  los  que  se  hallen  en  aptitud  de  apren- 
derla.  Tercero  :  que  un  hijo  de  cada  cacique,  pasando  de  seis 
alios,  lo  han  de  entregar  al  Sr,  Gobernador  a  fin  de  que  S.  Sa 
le  destine  las  casas  que  sean  de  su  satisfaccion,  en  las  cuales  k 
mas  de  doctrinarseles,  y  bantizar  a  los  que  de  ello  sean  capaces, 
se  les  vestira  decentemente,  cuidara  y  agradara  conforme  cor- 
responde  a  su  calidad.  Cuarto  :  que  los  indios  soldados  de  su 
comando,  no  han  de  tener  facultad  para  transmigrarse  a  esta 
pi'ovincia  6  sus  contornos,  por  el  Rio  ni  por  tierra,  sin  espresa 
licencia  del  Sr.  Capitan  General,  ni  tampoco  introducirse  k  las 
estancias  de  costa  abajo  sin  ella;  la  cual  pediran  por  condu(;to 
del  reverendo  Cura  que  se  le  concedera  por  S,  Sa.  segun  conven- 
ga,  auxiliandoseles  con  soldados  espafioles,  afin  de  evitar 
eualesquiera  daiio,  que  podrian  inf erirles  los  Payaguas,  6  ellos  k 
estos,  pues  guardan  fidelidad  con  los  espailoles.  Quinto  :  que 
no  se  han  de  atener  solo  a  las  reses  que  se  les  ponen  en  laestan- 
cia  para  su  manutencion,  sino  que  han  de  chacarear  y  seinbrar 
abundantemente  para  su  beneficio.  Sesto  :  que  han  de  defender 
las  costas  y  vigilar  los  pasos  del  Rio  frecuentemente,  para  obser- 
var  si  se  acercan  a  ellas  las  otras  naciones  enemigas,  6  si  han 
pasado  a  esta  banda,  y  acontecido  asi  deberan  participarlo  al 
cabo  que  se  hallare  mandando  enelfortin  que  se  establecera  en 
el  parage  de  los  Reraolinos.  Y  habiendoseles  hecho  saber 
estas  condiciones  por  los  interpretes,  las  abrazaron  y  convinieron 
llanaraente  en  todas  ellas,  prometiendo  cumplir  con  lo  qne  se 
les  previene  sin  la  menor  falta  :  en  cuya  razon  acordaron  S.  S. 
se  de  parte  a  S.  M.  de  lo  resuelto  en  los  terminos  prevenidos  en 
el  acuerdo  de  26  de  Marzo  (que  es  referente  al  donative  gracioso 
de  ganado  y  todo  lo  necesario  que  se  ha  pedido  a  este  vecinda- 
rio  para  costear  la  fundacion  y  manutencion  de  los  indios). 
Y  los  dichos  interpretes  dijeron  han  procedido  en  su  oficio  fiel- 


274 

mente  en  cargo  del  juramento  fecho,  en  el  que  se  afirmaron  y 
ratificaron  con  sus  Senorias  y  demas  circumstantes  de  esta 
Junta  de  que  doy  fe. 

Agustin  Feroando  de  Pinedo,  Diego  de  Ocampos,  Pedro 
Pereira,  Bernardino  Robledo,  Francisco  Javier  Benites, 
Jose  Canete,  Bernardo  de  Haedo,  Fermin  de  Arredondo, 
Fernando  Larios  Garban,  Fulgencio  Chaparro,  Salvador 
Cabana  y  Ampuero,  Blas  de  Samaniego,  Estevan  Dias  Bar- 
BOSA,  Luis  Jose  Pereira,  Francisco  Genes,  Jose  Antonio 
Yegros,  (Siguen  mas  veinte  y  nueve  firraas,)  Ante  mi,  Pedke 
Alcantara  Rodriguez,  Escribano  Publico  de  Gobernacion  y 
Cabildo. 


275 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.  13. 

En  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay  en  6  dias  del 
mes  de  Marzo  de  1778  anos.  Los  Sefiores  que  componen 
este  ilustre  Cabildo,  Justicia  y  Regimiento,  por  especial 
citacion  del  Senor  Alcalde  ordinario  de  primer  voto,  y 
presidencia  del  Sr.  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General,  y  asis- 
tencia  del  Seiior  Procurador  General  de  la  Ciudad,  se  juntaron  en 
esta  sala  de  sus  ayuntamientos,  como  ban  de  uso  y  costumbre, 
a  tratar  y  conferir  materias  del  servicio  de  ambas  Mages- 
tades,  bien  y  utilidad  de  esta  Repiiblica,  y  estando  asl  juntos  y 
congregados  espnso  S.  Sa.  lo  signiente:  Que  cuando  se  condujo 
a  este  su  Gobierno  aporto  a  la  problacion  de  Remolinos,  en 
donde  encontro  algunos  Caciques  de  la  Nacion  Mbocobi,  quienes 
le  esperaron  el  termino  de  tres  dias  con  el  destino  deproponer  a 
a  Su  Seiioria  como  lo  ejecutaron,  deseaban  paces  con  esta  pro- 
vincia,  y  que  siempre  que  les  jnisiese  un  pueblo  en  la  otra  handa 
de  este  rio,  {en  el  Chaco)  traerian  sus  familias  que  ascend eran 
al  ntimero  de  300  almas  poco  mas  6  menos.  y  que  despues  es- 
peran  afectar  a  mas  para  dicha  reducion,  demostrando  a  Su  Se- 
iioria el  lugar  donde  apetecian  residir;  mas  que  era  forzoso  le 
concurriese  la  provincia  con  los  ganados  y  demas  menesteres  k 
su  firme  confirmacion,  como  que  se  habian  de  constituir  fieles 
amigos,  que  en  esta  virtud  lea  prometio  S.  Sa.  benignamente 
condecenderia  con  lo  que  le  promueven,  luego  que  se  posesionare 
de  su  mando  e  instruyese  de  las  f  acultades  de  la  provincia,  y  que 
hasta  podian  con  toda  seguridad  presentarse  en  aquel  presidio  y 
poblacion  de  Remolinos  en  tiempo  oportuno,  que  ya  dejaba  dis- 
puesto  1  ?s  condujesen  u  est^  Cindad  para  con  acuerdo  de  su  Cabil- 
do resolver  lo  mas  conveniente  al  servicio  de  ambas Magestades, 
bien  y  utilidad  de  esta  Republica:  que  en  consecuencia  de 
hallarse  dos  Caciques  en  esta  Ciudad  para  imponerse  de  la  ultima 
determinacion  y  que  S.  Sa.  se  complacera  de  que  los  Senores  de 


276 

este  Cabildo  viertan  su  dictameu  libremente,  pues  no  desea  otra 
cosa  que  el  acierto.  Los  dichos  Senores  dijeron  que  desde  luego 
subvienen  en  darles  a  las  citadas  naciones  de  indios  Mbocovis 
la  reducion  que  solicitan,  como  lo  practiearon  el  aiio  pasado  de 
1776,  pues  sin  embarsfo  de  la  suma  miseria  en  que  ha  venido  la 
provincia  y  falta  de  ganados  que  prepararon  considerable  nu- 
mero  para  la  manutencion  de  estos  mismos  iniieles,  en  la 
cual  por  el  poco  que  existieron,  y  en  la  corta  poblaeion  de 
espaiioles,  se  consuniio  la  mayor  parte,  como  consta  de  distintos 
acuerdos  celebrados  en  su  razon,  y  que  por  entonces  no  tuvo 
efecto  la  dicha  reduccion  por  que  los  Indios  se  desavinieron 
entre  si,  segun  se  dijo,  6  por  su  novedad  de  la  muerte  del 
Cacique  D.  Atazurin.  Que  guardando  dichos  Indios  los  capi- 
tulos  u  pactos  celebrados  con  esta  Ciudad,  y  constan  del  acuerdo 
de  1°  de  Junio  del  aiio  pasado  1776  que  se  hizo  presente  a 
S.  Sa.,  desde  luego  puede  verificarse  el  intento  de  los  precitados 
indios,  y  que  es  forsoso  que  S.  Sa.  infonne  a  S.  M.,  y  por  pronto 
remedio  al  Exino  Sr  Yirrey  de  Buenos  Ayres,  haciendo  presente 
el  deplorable  estado  de  esta  Provincia,  y  sus  repetidos  donativos, 
que  en  esta  razon  tienen  sus  Seiiorias  por  cierto,  no  subsistira 
en  adelaiite  la  citada  Reduccion,  sino  se  aplicau  a,  esta 
los  cuatro  mil  pesos  y  demas  subsidios  que  prefine  la  Ley  Real, 
pues  en  dicha  Ciudad  de  Buenos  Ayres,  se  halla  cierto  ramo  de 
real  hacienda  destinado  para  Reducciones  ;  y  hecho  cargo  de 
todo  el  citado.  Seiior  Gobernador  dijo,  S.  Sa.  practicra  cu- 
anto  conduzca  a  la  verificacion  del  intento,  pues  de  su  consecu- 
cion  se  signe  servicio  a  Dios  y  al  Rey;  y  mando  leer  a  dichos 
Caciques  los  pactos  contenidos  en  el  citado  acuerdo  de  1°  de 
Junio  de  dicho  aiio  de  1776,  y  espresadose  estos,  por  el  Indio 
Antonio  de  su  nacion,  intelegente  en  el  idiomo  castellano,  los 
ratificaron,  prometiendo  su  inviolable  observancia,  y  les  anadi6 
S.  Sa.  que  igualmente  hade  ser  condicion  6  pacto  el  que  no 
han  de  introducirse  en  el  Chaco,  a  provocar  a  los  demas  Indios 
no  reducidos  y  como  tales  sus  enemigos,  por  las  malas  conse- 
cuencias  que  precisamente  se  les  ha  d'e  seguir  en  una  guerra  no 
precisa,  y  solicitada  por  su  parte,  mas  que  si  dichas  naciones  se 
acercasen  a  su  Reduccion  y  pueblo  a  insultarlos,  les  proraete 
S.  Sa.  socorrerlos  con  gente  de  armas  y  castigar  su  atrevimiento. 


t7t 

Y  que  asi  mismo  no  ban  de  trausinigrarse  a  las  otras  Provincias, 
a  robar  caballos  ni  otros  animales,  ni  raenos  a  inferir  hostilidad 
algima,  puessiendo  los  habitantes  de  los  otros  lugares  cristianos 
ignalmente,  debeu  guardarles  paz,  quedando  eiitendido  que  los 
habitantes  de  esta  provincia,  no  les  han  de  comprar  caballos, 
ni  otra  especie  de  animales,  y  habien doles  esjilicado  lo 
referido  el  citado  Antonio  en  su  natural  idioma,  condescen- 
dieron  gustosos,  y  diciendo  cumpliran  eon  cuanto  se  les  previene 
por  S.  Sa.  con  quienes  lo  firmaron  de  que  doy  fe, 

Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  Jose  Taboada,  Antonio  Caya- 
LLEKO  DE  Anasco,  Bernardino  Robledo,  Francisco  Javier 
Benites,  Jose  Canete,  Bernardo  de  Haedo,  Fermin  de 
Arredondo,  Francisco  Javier  Arevalo. 

Antemi. 

Pedro  Alcantara  Rodriguez, 

Escrlhano  Publico  de  Gobernacion  y  Gabildo. 


278 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.  14. 

"N"oTA.  En  otra  estensa  acta  de  25  de  Mayo  de  1778,  del 
mismo  libro  de  Cabildo,  a  fojas  83  consta  que  ese  dia  aeordaron 
para  pasar  el  mismo  Gobernador  D.  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal  en 
persona  a  mandar  fundaraentar  la  Reduccion  en  el  mismo 
lugar  donde  pidieron  los  Indios,  corao  lo  habia  verificado  al  si- 
guiente  dia,  segun  les  habia  proraetido,  quedando  por  consiguiente 
desde  entonces,  estableeida  la  citada  Reduccion  de  San  Francisco 
Solano  de  Indios  Mbocobis  :  como  se  acredita  por  el  tenor  de 
la  carta  del  cura  catequista  Presbitero  Jose  Mariano  Aguero- 
que  principio  sus  trabajos  desde  la  f undacion,  cuya  carta  aparece 
en  el  mismo  citado  libro  a  fojas  156,  y  es  la  del  anexo  siguiente. 


279 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.  15. 

Senor:  Ayer  1°  del  corriente  llega  el  Cacique  Elencoide 
de  la  otra  banda  del  Berraejo  enviado  de  Amelcoin, 
quien  con  bastante  gente  llegara  de  aqui  a  seis  u  ocho  dias,  no 
puede  asignarse  el  nfimero  fijo  de  las  familias,  pues  nie  envia  a 
dccii-  que  de  su  parcialidad  todos  vendran,  y  los  que  han  venido 
me  dicen  lo  mismo.  Si  todos  vienen,  tendremos  quinientas  o 
seiscientas  almas,  y  asi  prevengo  a  vuestra  Seiioria  para  que  se 
digne  darnos  alguu  pronto  socorro  de  gaiiado,  pues  solo  nos 
quedan  quince  cabezas  del  que  se  trajo  ultimamente  y  36  del 
que  se  ha  mantenido  en  esta  parte,  del  cual  gastan  los  infieles  del 
gasto  de  losTobas;  en  lo  presente  se  ha  contenido  mucho  el 
cacique,  mas  no  por  eso,  dejan  estos  de  venir  dia  por  dia  en 
patrullas,  muchos  se  vuelven  raal  contentos,  y  otros  se  retiran 
buenamento. 

Tambien,  Seiior,  si  hay  algun  maiz  y  una  poca  de  sal.  Asi 
mismo  pongo  a  la  consideracion  de  vuestra  Seiioria,  haberme  en- 
viado recado  los  Lenguas,  por  unos  Tobas  diciendome  deseaban 
verse  conmigo  trayendo  una  china  cautiva  a  vender,  asi  mismr 
a  tratar  de  paces  para  con  V.  Sa.  y  la  provincia,  y  sin  haber 
resuelto  ni  el  comandante  ni  yo,  se  fueron  los  Tobas  que 
actualmente  se  hallaban  en  esta,  a  traer  tres  de  ellos.  Estimare- 
mos  a  V.  Sa.  nos  instruya  en  lo  que  debemos  quedar,  que  no 
dudo  estos  vengan.  Lleva  el  capitan  dos  hachitas  del  Cacique 
Amclcoyn  quien  pide  se  le  haga  el  favor  de  hacerlas  componer  : 
y  las  muestras,  Seiior,  nos  hacen  total  falta,  como  tambien  algun 
poco  de  tabaco. 

No  ocurre  otra  cosa  en  el  presente  que  deba  noticiarse  a  V. 
Sa.,  a  quien  Dios  guarde  muchos  anos.  Reducion  de  San 
Francisco  Solano,  y  Julio  2  de  1779.  B.  L.  M.  de  V.  Sa.  su 
minimo  Capellan. 

Fr.  Jose  Mariano  Aguero, 
Seiior  Gobernadory  Capitan  General  Don  Pedro  Melo 
de  Portugal. 


280 

ANEXO  C. 

N^  16. 

Habiendo  pedido  reducion  con  mucha  instancia  los  Indies 
Tobas,  enemigos  acerrimos  de  la  Provincia  y  que  ban  causado 
indecibles  danos  de  robos  y  muertes  en  los  partidos  de  la 
Villeta  y  Cumbarity,  be  condescendido  k  ello,  con  erabarazo  de 
no  baber  fondos  de  donde  echar  mano  para  establecer  su  po- 
blacion  y  fundamentar  una  estancia  de  ganado  para  su  manuten- 
cion  que  es  el  linico  aliciente  que  les  atrae  ii  la  paz  y  quietud 
que  prometan  con  la  Provincia;  pero  con  la  esperanza  que  los 
vecinos  de  aquellos  partidos  como  tan  interesados  al  sosiego  de 
sus  personas  y  familias  y  fumento  de  s\is  haciendas  que  se 
conseguira  con  esta  fundacion;  contribuiran  con  los  ganados 
necesarios  y  demas  que  puedan,  con  e  dicho  fin,  hasta  que  dando 
yd  cuenta  a  S.  M.  de  tan  recoraendables  buenos  progresos, 
se  digne  su  real  piedad  providenciar  lo  necesario  para  estos 
gastos  y  subsistencia,  no  sola  de  esta  nueva  reduccion,  sins  tam- 
bien  de  la  establecida  por  mi  en  Remolinos.  Para  cuyo  efecto 
doy  coraision  a  Don  Antonio  Palacios,  Comisionario  de 
Gobierno,  para  que  en  virtud  de  esta,  y  de  la  inclusa  lista  de 
varios  sujetos  hacendados,  los  junte  y  leyendoles  esta  providen- 
cia,  les  pida  den  segun  su  caudal,  numero  de  ganados 
suficiente  para  dicho  efecto,  poniendose  por  cabeza  el  mismo 
Comisionario,  quien  corao  tal  dara  ejeraplo  a  los  demas  en  la 
cantidad  que  se  asignase,  prometiendome  dela  generosidad  de 
aquel  vecindario,  no  quedaran  .  .  (roto)  .  .  tan  justa 
peticion  que  de  dirije. 

Del  bien  espiritual  de  estos  infieles,  que  segun  sus  demostra- 
ciones  esperamos  su  conversion  a  nuestra  Santa  Ley,  y  al  mismo 
tiempo  y  se  deja  ver  gozaran  de  quietud  sus  personas  y  fa- 
milias, y  el  comun  de  la  provincia  y  se  adelantaran  mas  y  mas 
sus  haciendas,  que  siempre  menguan  por  las  irrupciones  que  en 
todos  tiempos  se  ban  esperimentado  cuando  se  ha  tenido  por 
enemigo  a  esta  Nacion  :  y  me  dara  cuenta  de  todo  el  ref  erido 
Comisario.     Asuncion  7  de  Febrero  de  1782. 

Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal. 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.    17. 

Manana  saldran  de  esta  en  el  Bote  de  Remolinos  los  avios 
para  la  fuudacion  de  la  Reduccion,  a  entregar  ii  Juan  Simon  No- 
guera  a  disposicion  de  V.  y  son  los  siguientes  :  30  hachas,  doce 
escoplos,  4  azadas,  6  palas,  2  azuelas,  6  carretas,  4  machetes, 
un  tercio  de  yerba  y  una  petaca  de  tabaco,  y  dos  canoas  grandes 
para  transportar  la  gente  y  lo  referido:  solo  falta  la  sal  que  por 
no  baber  llegado,  no  se  remite  ;  y  los  tachos  para  el  cocido  que 
no  los  hay,  pueden  suplirse  con  ollas  de  barro. 

Habiendose  dado  las  ordenes  para  el  maiz,  bueyes  y  peones 
que  ya  tiene  Y.  en  su  poder  no  resta  otra  cosa,  sino  el 
que  V.  disponga  marchar  lo  mas  breve  que  pueda  y 
poner  manos  a  la  abra,  proporcionando  cuanto  falte  y  sea 
necesario,  arbitrando  en  todo  y  obrando  como  quien  tiene  la 
cosa  presente  a  fin  de  que  no  haya^  atraso  en  los  trabajos  que 
se  van  a  emprender  para  el  establecimiento  de  dicha  poblacion, 
que  para  ello  le  doy  a  V.  ampliasfacultades,  y  mando  a  los  gefes 
militares  a  quienes  V.  pida  los  ausilios  que  necesite  se  los  den 
puntualmente  en  virtud  de  esta  que  sirve  de  orden  particular. 

Dios  guarde  a  Vd.  muchos  aiios.  Asuncion  9  de  Febrero  de 
1782. 

Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal. 
Seilor  Don  Mauricio  Palacios. 


282 

ANEXO  C. 

N».  18. 
Senor : 

Recibl  del  Reverendo  Padre  Fr.  Tomas  de  Aquino  50 
cabezas  de  ganado  vacuno  para  el  abasto  de  los  Tobas  y 
mulatos  libres;  y  por  no  pasar  a  la  Reduccion,  este  nfimero  de 
ganado  para  mejor  arreglo  que  halle  por  conveniente,  suplique  al 
cura  y  administrador  del  Pueblo  de  Guarambarare  para  poner 
el  referido  ganado  en  la  estancia  del  dicho  pueblo,  y  me 
respondio  franqueandome  la  estancia  del  dicho  pueblo,  raenos  a 
cargo  del  capitan,  que  solo  pomiendo  soldados  a  cuidar  el  ganado. 
Suplico  a  V.  Sa.  se  sirva  proveer  una  orden  para  que  reciba  el 
capataz  de  la  referida  estancia.  Inter  V.  Sa.  ordene  se  man- 
ten  dra  el  ganado  en  pastoreo. 

Quedo  esperando  nuevas  ordenes  de  V.  Sa.  Dios  Nuestro  Senor 
guarde  su  importante  vida  por  muchos  afios.  Guarnipitan 
Agosto  6  de  1782.  B.  L.  M.  de  V.  Sa.,  Seiior,  subumilde  servidor 
y  subdito. 

Mauricio  Palacios, 
Senor  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  Don  Pedro  Melo 
de  Portugal. 


283 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.   19. 
Senor : 

Hallandome  en  esta  ocasion  con  la  ohra  de  esta  Re- 
duccion  a  mi  paracer  muy  suficiente  2:)ara  vivir  eu  ella, 
cuantos  Tobas  vengan  del  Chaco,  rae  es  precise  dar  parte 
a  V.  Sa.  del  estado  en  quo  se  lialla,  pues  estan  acabados  cuaren- 
ta  y  seis  lances,  cinco  varas  de  largo  y  cuatro  varas  alto  con  lo 
demas  correspondiente,  la  acera  del  este  y  Poniente,  tapiados 
el  lado  de  afuera,  y  la  acera  del  Norte  sin  tapia,  por  parecerme 
que  se  mantendra  siempre  vacia,  pues  todos  estos  que  al  presente 
se  hallan  noocupan  mas  que  cuatro  lances  ;  a  la  parte  del  sud  esta 
la  Iglesia  de  diez  varas  de  largo  y  cinco  de  alto,  de  madera  labra- 
da,  con  un  cupial  para  sacristia,  y  solo  le  faltan  dos  puertas ;  segui- 
do  a  ella  dos  lances  muy  capaces  con  culata  para  el  cura  ;  tambien 
le  faltan  dos  puertas  a  un  lado  de  la  casa  del  cura  :  la  guardia  de 
un  lance  conculata  y  uncupial  para  sombra  ;  las  cuatroe  squinas 
cerradas  con  tiranteria,  y  lo  que  hace  a  la  Iglesia,  Guardia  y 
casa  del  Cura,  quinchado  con  buena  madera;  un  terreno  de  mas 
de  dos  cuerdas  en  cuadro,  cultivado,  solo  le  f  alta  el  sembrar  que 
se  hard  a  su  tiempo  con  otro  retacito  mas  de  suelo  cultivado  en 
otra  jDarte,  por  lo  que  pareciendome  ser  todo  lo  dicho  muy 
suficiente,  doy  parte  a  V.  Sa.  para  que  enterandose  d(^  esta,  y 
este  al  gusto  de  V.  Sa.  y  no  diga  mas  que  hacer,  estimare  al 
favor  de  V.  Sa.  mande  orden  de  lo  que  se  haya  de  determinar 
de  las  cosas  que  a  mi  cargo  se  hallan  y  asi  mismo  de  mi  retirada, 
que  con  la  respuesta  de  V.  Sa,  me  pondre  en  camino. 

No  hallo,  Seiior,  novedad  que  pueda  yo  contar  a  Y.  Sa.  de 
este  lugar,  y  menos  de  estos  miserables,  que  solo  sus  esperanzas 
es  que  se  les  de  un  bocado  de  comer,  pues  en  esto  solo  me 
majan  bastante,  pero  con  mis  espiguitas  de  maiz  los  contento, 
y  en  esto  molesto  a  Don  IMauricio  Palacios  que  no  me  falte,  pues 
en  todo  maiiana  espero  la  mucha  gente,  que  ya  vienen  de  tierra 
adentro,  y  solo  entonces  hablare  con  ellos  acerca  del  cura  ele- 
gido,  aunque  el  que  me  dice  Don  Mauricio  no  me  parece  sera  sufi- 


284 

ciente  para  este  gentio  pues  segun  les  tengo  ya  reconocido, 
neeesitan  a  un  hombre  de  rara  paciencia  y  suave  en  genio; 
y  al  misnio  tiempo  algo  agrio,  que  asi  los  estoy  manteniendo 
y  mandandoles  hacer  algo  y  estan  muy  contentos;  y  siendo 
cuanto  por  ahora  ocurre.  Ruego  aDios  guarde  a  V.  Sa.,  muchos 
anos — Nueva  Reduccion  Junio  12  de  1782. 

Senor  B.  L.  M.  de  V.  Sa.,  su  muy  seguvo  subdito  servidor. 

Jose  Pastor  Torres, 
Senor  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  Don  Pedro 
Melo  de  Portugal. 

NoTA.  En  el  libro  se  acuerdos  del  Cabildo  de  esta  Ciudad 
de  la  Asuncion  que  empieza  en  22  de  Enero  de  1787  y  corre 
hasta  el  aiio  de  1 789  se  encuentran  entre  otras  dos  estensas  actas 
de  acuerdos  celebrados  para  consignar  en  ellos  los  pareceres  del 
Cabildo  sobre  una  nueva  poblacion  en  el  Chaco,  propuesta  por 
el  Gobernador  Intendente  Don  PedrbMelo  de  Portugal;  de  las 
cuales  por  su  larga  estension,  solo  copiarenios  los  principales 
topicos  que  conducen  al  esclarecimiento  de  nuestro  proposito,  y 
es  como  sigue. 


285 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.  20. 

En  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay  en  6  dias  del 
mes  de  Marzo  de  1787  anos:  los  Scfiores  que  coraponen  este 
ilustre  ayuntamiento  (f.  15),  se  congregaron  en  esta  sala  de  sus 
acuerdos  median te  citacion  especial  que  para  ello  mando  hacer 
el  Seiior  Gobernador  Intendente  y  Capitan  General,  con  asistencia 
del  Seiior  Procurador  sindico  general  ;  y  estanuo  asi  hizo  pre- 
seute  S.  Sa.  haber  parecido  en  esta  Ciudad  tres  Caciques  prin- 
cipales  de  las  Naciones  Lenguas,  Machicuis  y  Enimagas, 
aconipaiiados  de  varios  indios  de  sus  respectivas  parcialidades, 
solicitando,  se  les  ponga  JRedaccion  d  la  otra  banda  de  este 
Rio,  porque  desean  se  les  instruya  en  los  misterios  de  nuestra 
Santa  Fe  catolica,  convertirse  a  ella,  guardarpaz  y  amistad  con 
la  Provincia.  Que  en  case  de  que  se  encuentre  por  este  Cabildo 
conveniente,  puede  establecerse  la  JRedaccion  d  la  otra  banda 
de  este  Rio  costa  arriba  d  la  parte  del  Norte  del  Rio  Confuso^ 
en  el  terreno  que  media  entre  este  Rio  y  el  Paraguay.  Que  para 
su  resguardo  puede  fundarse  alii  una  poblacion  de  espanoles 
custodiada  de  un  Presidio  ;  atento  a  que  en  este  lugar  se  en- 
cuentran  tierras  aparentes  para  pastos  y  labranzas  proporcio- 
nadas  al  metodo  y  circum>tanGias  que  deben  existir  en  iguales 
poblaciones  segun  el  piadoso  espiritu  de  las  Leyes  del  Soberano, 
prescritas  en  las  que  hablan  de  esta  materia  las  cuales  ha  ins- 
peccionado  S.  Sa.  en  ocasiones  que  ha  pasado  a  este  terreno 
acompafiado  del  Capitan  de  infanteria  Don  Juan  Valeriano  de 
Cevallos,  Sindico  Procurador  general  que  fue  de  esta  Ciudad, 
y  el  Regidor  Don  Toribio  Viana,  con  otros  vecinos  inteligeutes, 
que  en   esta   razon   esjionga   la  Ciudad    su  sentimiento. 

(Siguen  las  conferencias  en  que  estan  de  acuerdo  para  la  po- 
blacion y  solo  trepidan  en  los  raedios  y  al  final  a  f.   23,  dice)  : 

"  Y  el  Seiior  Procurador  Sindico  General  a  virtud  de  ambas 
votaciones  dijo  que  por  su  parte  expondria  en  otro  Cabildo  lo 


286 

que  sea  mas  acomodado  al  beneficio  de  la  Repfiblica  su  parte, 
y  lo  firmaron  de  que  doy  f  e. 

Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal.  Juan  de  Cevallos,  Pedro 
NoLASCo  Domeque.  Miguel  Rubio  t  Dias.  Vice>'te  Lagle 
yRey,  Fermix  Arrendoxdo  t  Lobatox.  Toribio  Viaxa. 
Jose  Benites  y  Robles.  Francisco  de  Isasi.  Melchor 
Marix.     Jose  Goxzales  Rios. 

Ante  mi. 

Maxuel  Bexites. 
Escribano  Publico  de  Gobernacion  y  Cabildo. 


287 


ANEXO  C. 

C.   X°.  21. 

NoTA.  Despues  de  haber  tenido  otra  sesion  en  que  el  Procura- 
dor  de  la  Ciudad  virtio  su  opinion  favorable,  constante  de  fojas 
24  It  fojas  27  y  vuelta  ;  el  Escribano  paso  al  Gobierno  a  dar 
cuenta  del  resultado  de  las  sesiones  del  Cabildo,  y  en  su  virtud, 
a  fs.  28  asienta  la  diligencia  en  que  despues  de  los  preambulos 
dice. 

"  Y  sin  embargo  de  que  los  arbitrios  que  sehan  propuestopor 
unay  otra  parte,  no  estan  advertidos  en  la  cabeza  de  supropues- 
ta,  como  el  tin  a  que  se  ban  dirijido  es  el  concepto  de  ella,  ban 
producido  sus  pareceres  y  las  advertencias  que  ban  tenido  por  eon- 
ducentes.  Y  respecto  a  que  todos  estan  unanimes  y  conformes 
en  lo  sustancial  de  conveuir  la  Reduccion  y  parage  de  su- 
situacion,  como  los  auxlios  que  por  pronto  remedio  se  puedan 
f  acilitar,  apoyando  las  misnias  razones  de  conveniencia  de  reduc- 
cion, situacion  y  facilitaciou  de  auxilios,  lo  que  espone  el  pro- 
curador  sindico  general  en  nombre  del  publico  en  su  ultima  peti- 
cion,  fundandola  en  los  que  le  ban  parecido  conducentes. 
Desde  luego  conviene  S.  Sa.  en  que  se  soliciten  de  los  sugetos 
que  estendentro  de  la  Ciudad,  los  socorros  que  voluntariamente 
gusten  ofi-ecer,  y  admite  igualmente  los  que  gi-atuitamente  ha 
ofrecido  este  Cabildo  para  dar  ejemplo  a  los  demas,  dandole  las 
gracias  por  lo  que  se  interesa  en  el  bien  del  publico,  extension 
de  nuestra  santa  fe  catolica  y  beneficio  del  Estado.  Y  firmo 
S.  Sa.  de  que  doy  fe. 

Asuncion  12  de  Marzo  de  1787. 

Pedko  Meld  de  Portugal. 
Ante  mi. 

Manuel  Benites. 
JEseribano  Ft'iblieo  de  Gobernacion  y  Cabildo.'" 

NoTA.  Reunidos  los  auxilios  que  quedan  dicbos,  el  padre 
Cura  de  la  Emboscada  Clerigo  Don  Amancio  Gonzales  Escobar, 


2S8 

que  poseia  una  fortuna  mas  que  regular,  se  hizo  cargo  de  esta 
grande  empresa,  con  raotivo  de  que  tenia  mucho  conpciraiento 
en  el  Cliaco  y  simpatias  con  los  indios  infielcs  sus  mora- 
dores,  estableciendo  uiuy  pronto  una  gran  problacion  seis 
Icguas  al  Norte  de  la  Asuncion,  en  el  Chaco,  con  la 
denominacion  de  "  Reducion  de  Melodia  "  donde  ac- 
tual mente  se  encuentra  la  primera  Villa  Occidental 
fundada  por  el  Gobierno  de  Lopez,  padre,  y  ocupada 
hoy  abusivamente  por  fnerzas  argentinas  ;  atrayendo  el  referido 
Padre  Gonzales  en  dicbo  establecimieuto  una  infinidad  de  indios 
de  diferentes  tribus,  constituyendose  el  citado  Cleiigo  Gon- 
zales catequista  de  ellos,  afanandose  con  tanto  esmero  en  la 
conversion  de  taiitos  infieles,  que  en  seis  anos  tenia  ya  una 
porcion  considerable  de  conveitidos  y  bautizados,  sacriticando 
en  esta  obra  cristiana  hasta  el  iiltimo  real  de  su  pingiie  patri- 
monio,  pues  que  niurio  pobre,  despues  de  haber  sostenido  a  su 
propia  costa  esta  Keduccion,  por  espacio  de  treinta  anos ; 
no  liabiendosele  auxiliado  mas  que  con  el  primer  donativo 
recogido  del  vecindario  para  la  fundacion  del  Pueblo  ;  y  solo 
despues  de  su  muerte,  es  que  por  la  inconstancia  de  los  indios, 
se  retiraron  otra  vez  al  interior  del  Chaco,  segun  los  papeles  y 
padrones  de  dicha  Reducion  que  he  tenido  a  la  vista. 


289 

AKEXO  C. 

N°.  22. 

Don  Francisco  Amancio  Gonzales  Escobar,  Cura  Eector  de 
la  Emboscada  que  dice  se  halla  poblado  casi  el  tiempo  de  dos 
anos  en  al  Chaco,  seis  leguas  Rio  arriba  de  esa  Ciudad  con  el 
designio  de  conseguirla  paz  y  reduccion  de  tres  Naciones  vcciiias 
de  indios  vagantes  el  Rio  Pilcomayo,  el  territorio  de  la  nom- 
brada  Guana,  e  immediacioues  de  los  Chiriguanos,  me  ha  pasado 
con  fecha  del  3  de  Junio  ultimo  el  ofieio  que  remito 
a  V.  Sa.  con  su  documento  adjunto,  para  que  enterado 
de  las  reflecciones  que  sienta  acerca  de  est  a  empresa  me  espcn- 
ga  V.  Sa.  por  puntos,  lo  que  se  le  ofrezca  y  parezca  sobre  todo 
y  me  lo  devuelva. 

Dios  guarde  a  V.  Sa.  mucbos  anos. 

Buenos-Aires  13  de  Julio  de  1778. 

Maeques  de  Loreto. 
Senor  Gobernador  Intendente  del  Paraguay 


290 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.  23. 

Habiendo  tenido  noticia  de  la  llegada  de  V,  Sa.  a  la  Ciudad 
de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay  a  sucederle  en  el  Gobierno  de  la 
Provincia  al  Seiior  Don  Lazaro  de  Rivera,  y  no  pudiendo  yo 
cumplir  personalmente  con  la  obligacion  que  me  corresponde  de 
darle  :\  Y.  Sa.  la  bien  venida,  por  la  lai'ga  distancia  en  que  me 
hallo  empleado  en  el  servicio  del  Rey  mi  amo  y  Seiior,  lo  efec- 
tuo  por  escrito  deseando  que  Y.  Sa.  haya  tenido  feliz  viage  y 
llegado  con  entera  salad  y  que  la  Divina  Providencia  le  asista 
con  todos  los  ausilios  necesarios  para  que  tenga  Y.  S.  el  mejor 
acierto  y  desempeiio  en  el  Gobierno  de  ella. 

En  la  actualidad  me  hallo  comandante  de  esta  plaza 
desde  el  afio  1797,  y  desde  aqui  tengo  el  honor  de  rendirle 
a  Y.  Sa.  una  muy  grande  obediencia  y  ofrecerle  a  Y,  Sa.  todas 
mis  potencias  y  sentidos  para  que  la  autoridad  de  Y.  Sa.  disponga 
de  mi  y  me  maude  en  cuanto  me  halle  suficiente,  en  cuyo 
ohedecimiento  tendre  la  honra  de  dar  el  exacto  y  debido  cum- 
plimiento  a  las  ordenes  que  la  autoridad  y  celo  de  Y  Sa. 
se  sirva  cometerme. 

Dios  guarde  la  importante  vida  de  Y.  Sa.  muchos  aiios. 

Borbon  y    Junio    11  de  1806. 

Pedro  Axtoxio  Mier. 
Seiior  Gobernador  Inteudente  Don  Bernardo  de  Yelasco. 


291 


ANEXO   C. 

N°.  24. 

El  dia  16  del  presente  mes  llego  a  este  puerto  la  balandra  de 
D.  Miguel  Iturbino  conduciendo  la  tropa  que  viene  a  servir 
sobre  las  armas  en  esta  plaza  y  relevar  a  la  que  se  halla  aqui  em- 
pleada  en  el  raismo  servicio,  como  tambien  trayendo  las  raini- 
estras  y  demas  viveres  para  el  consumo  de  raciones  de  ella. 

Y  por  lo  que  haee  al  servicio  segun  me  ordena  V.  Sa.  para  que  se 
haga  con  celo  y  vigilancia,  debo  decirle  a  V.  Sa,  que  lo  verificare 
segun  y  confome   la  autoridad  de  T.  Sa.  me  lo  manda. 
Dios  guarde  a  V.  Sa.  muchos  anos. 

Borbon  y  Agosto  20  de  1806. 

Pedro  Axtomo  Mier. 
Senor  Gobernador  Tiitendente  Don  Ber- 
nardo de  Velasco. 


292 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.  25. 
Exinio.  Senor : 

Habiendose  deteriorado  los  dos  entablados  de  la  Atalaya 
de  esta  guardia,  me  veo  en  la  precision  de  informal" 
a  V.  E.  que  se  necesitan  de  cincuenta  y  cuatro  varas  de  taLlas 
y  algunos  clavosde  cinco  pulgadas  para  su  refaccion. 

Confiado  en  la  suma  benigiiidad  de  V.  E.  suplico  se  digne 
dispensarme  el  distraer  a  V.  E.  de  las  infinitas  y  graves  aten- 
ciones  que  rodean  a  V.  E. 

Dios  guarde  a  V.  E.  muchos  anos. 
Fuerte  de  Santa  Elena  y  Octubre  22  de  1838. 
Exmo.  Senor 

HeRMENEGILDO    QuiKONES. 

Exmo.   Senor  Dictador   de  la  Rep4blica. 


2ua 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.  26. 

Pasa  el  Sargento  Francisco  Arana  con  su  partida  de  25 
hombres  a  rclevar  la  guarnieion  de  Santa  Elena,  en  cuya  virtud 
el  Sargento  Quinones,  encargado  de  aquel  punto,  le  entregura 
el  mando,  instruyendolc  en  el  metodo  y  forma  del  servieio  que 
se  observa  para  resguardo  y  seguridad  del  Presidio,  juiitamente 
con  las  armas,  rauniciones  y  demas  efectos  6  utiles  que  se  ha- 
llen,  todo  por  inventario  firmado  de  arabos,  que  el  mismo  traera 
con  su  guaruicion  relevada  a  la  vuelta  del  buque. 

Asuncion   y  Junio  12  de  1839.  FRAN  CIA. 


294 

ANEXO  C. 

N".  27. 

El  Sargento  Benites  pasara  con  la  balandra  a  dejar  un  tercio 
de  yerba  y  el  fardo  de  vestuario  al  Sargento  Saracho  de  "  Monte- 
claro,"  advirliendole  que  rae  mande  recibo  de  dichos  vestuarios 
y  lista  de  su  piquete  de  f  usileros  ;  y  de  alli  seguira  a  Orange  a 
entregar  el  otro  tercio  al  Sargento  Enciso,  quien  le  entregara  el 
soldado  preso  Marcos  Obelar,  al  cual  traera  en  el  buque,  llegan- 
do  a  la  vuelta  a  Santa  Elena  a  alzar  y  conducir  tanibieu  aca  la 
guarnicion  relevada. 

Asuncion  y  Mayo  19  de  1829.  JFRANCIA. 


295 


ANEXO   C. 

N°  28. 

Pasa  el  Sargento  Manuel  Antonio  Melgarejo  con  su  partida 
de  25  hombres  a  relevar  la  guarnicion  de  Monteclaro,  en  cuya 
virtud  el  Sargento  Saracho  encargado  de  aquel  punto  le 
entregara  el  mando,  instruyendole  en  el  metodo  y  forma  del 
servicio  que  se  observara  para  resguardo  y  seguridad  del 
Presidio,  juntamente  con  las  armas,  municiones  y  demasefectos 
6  {itiles  que  se  hallen,  todo  por  inventario  firmado  de  ambos 
que  el  mismo  traera  con  su  guarnicion  relevada  a  la  vuelta  del 
buque. 

Asuncion  y  Junio  18  de  1839. 

FRANCIA. 


296 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.  29. 
Exmo.  Senor  : 

Con  la  debida  sumision  hago  j^resente  a  V.  E.  que  los 
Indios  Guaicurus  han  aparecido  primeramente  siete  Indies 
distancia  de  i-eis  cuerdas  del  portrero  poco  mas  6  nienos, 
gritaron  diciendo  que  qnerian  comunicar,  entonces  hizeles 
seiias  desde  el  Mangrullo  a  que  diesen  vuelta  al  frente,  respon- 
dieron  con  gritos  diciendo :  esta  bueno  paisauo,  sera  hasta 
luego  ;  y  con  esta  voz  se  retiraron  ;  luego  despues  volvieron  dos 
indios  a  los  tres  dias,  hicieron  lo  mismo  en  el  mismo  lugar  ;  es 
cuanto  pongo  presente  a  V.  E. 

Dios  guarde   a   V.    E.  muchos  anos. 
Fuerte  Orange  y  Agosto  14    de  1837. 
Exmo.  Senor 

Sebastian  Ballejos, 
Exmo.  Supremo  Dictador  perpetuo  de  la  Republica  del  Para- 
guay. 


297 


ANEXO   C. 

N°,  30. 

Tengo  entregiido  al  Sargento  Juan  Enciso  todos  los  armaraen- 
tos  y  municiones  y  demas  haberes  que  se  hallaron  existentes  a 

mi  cargo  en  este  fuerte,  en  presencia  del  Comdandante 

(Sigue    el  inventario  de  todo   el  armamento,  municion  y  otros 
utiles  de  la  fortaleza  y  lo  firma  con  testigos.) 

Fuei'te  Orange  8  de  Junio  de  1826. 

Luis  Mancuello, 

Juan  Enciso, 

Miguel  Maldonado. 


298 

ANEXO   C. 

X°.    31. 
Exmo.  Senor : 

Con  el  debido  respeto  doy  parte  a  V.  E.  de 
28  que  somos  de  los  fusileros  los   que  nos  hallamos  necesitados 
de  ponchos  y  vestuarios,  y  siete  de   los  lanceros  necesitan  tam- 
bien  de  ponchos;  de  vestuarios  no  estan  atrasados:  agregandose 
estos    siete    lanceros    recien    relevados,    la  guarnicion    nuestra 
asciende  a  35  individuos  el  total. 
Dios  guarde  a  V.  E.  muchos  aiios. 
Fuerte  Formoso  y  Mayo  31  de  1836. 
Exmo.  Seiior, 

Mariaxo  Roque  Aloxzo, 
Exmo.  Senor  Dictador  Perpetuo  de  la  Republica  del  Paraguay. 


299 


ANEXO   C. 

N°.  32. 

Pasa  el  Sargento  de  fusileros  Fermin  Ojeda  con  la  tropa  com- 
petente  a  relevar  la  guarnicion  de  Formoso,  en  cuya  virtud  el 
encargado  actual  del  mando  de  aquel  presidio  le  antregara  todas 
las  armas,  municiones,  papeles  y  cualesquier  efectos  que  le  per- 
tenezcan,  todo  por  inventario  que  se  ha  de  asentar  a  continuacion 
de  esta  orden,  instruyendole  al  mismo  tiempo  y  dandole  bien  a 
saber  asi  a  el  como  a  los  cabos,  el  metodo  y  forma  de  servicio 
que  alii  se  observa  en  la  vigilancia  y  resguardo  del  presidio  y  en 
las  rondas  y  corridas  que  se  hacen  en  canoas  en  tiempo  de  bajas 

del  Rio  & En    conclusion    se    vendra    dicho 

encargado  en  el  mismo  buque,  trayendo  toda  la  guarnicion 
relevada  de  fusileros  y  lanceros,  juntamente  con  el  espresado 
inventario  firmado  por  el  Sargento  que  qtiedara  con  el  mando. 
Asuncion  y  Abril  20  de  1839. 

Fraxcia. 

Nota:  En  el  curso  se  esta  memoria  se  ban  mencionado  las 
diferentes  poblaciones  que  sucesivamente  y  sin  interrupcion  se 
ban  conservado  en  el  Chaco  paraguayo  desde  el  tiempo  de  los 
Gobiernos  espaiioles  hasta  nuestros  dias:  y  sin  embargo  de  que 
es  un  hecbo  conocido,  voy  a  copiar  algunas  correspondencias  del 
Comandante  de  la  Fortaleza  y  Reduccion  de  Remolinos  en  el 
Chaco,  denominada  Reduccion  de  San  Francisco  Solano,  con  el 
Gobernador  Velasco.     Son  las  que  siguen. 


300 


ANEXO   C. 

N°.   33. 

En  obedecimiento  del  oficio  de  V.  S.  de  27  del  pasado,  des- 
pacho  al  Soldado  Alejandro  Baez,  en  una  canoa  con  tres  natu- 
rales  de  esta  Reduccion,  conduciendo  ocho  armas  de  fuego  inii- 
tiles  queaiinque  algunas  caen,  bien  no  dan  fuego:  asi  mismo  con- 
ducen  23  balas  que  por  no  haber  papel  y  polvorano  les  he  hecho 
cartuchos:  asi  mismo  lleva  una  hacha  inservible,  la  cual  hace 
mucha  falta  a  la  tropa  para  el  carneo  y  cortar  lena:  no  se  en- 
cuentra  en  todas  las  armas  ni  una  piedra  con  que  se  puedahacer 
fuego,  ni  menos  de  reserva,  pues  todas  las  que  tienen  las  armas 
son  pedacitos,  de  manera,  Senor,  que  si  en  la  estacion  se  me 
ofreciera  usar  de  las  armas  me  veria  enteramente  indefenso, 
pues  en  los  dos  caiiones  que  pudiera  tener  alguna  esperanza,  no 
se  puede  tener,  a  causa  de  estar  arruinadas  las  dos  cureiias  en 
terminos  de  no  poderse  usar  de  los  caiiones  encima  de  ellas : 
uno  de  los  caiiones  esta  inutil  por  tener  adentro  una  astilla  6 
escoria  de  mismo  fierro  que  con  dificultad  se  carga  y  se  des- 
carga." 

"  Me  dice  V.  Sa.  que  el  oficial  que  me  releve  debe  continuar 
la  obra  de  este  f  uerte  hasta  su  conclusion,  avisando  a  V.  Sa.  de 
los  auxilios  que  se  hayan  de  necesitar,  para  proporcionarlos  cuan- 
to  antes;  y  mirando  la  cosa  como  que  la  tengo  a  la  vista  debo 
hacer  presenta  a  V.  Sa.  que  se  necesitan  precisamente  dos  car- 
retas  con  24  bueyes  para  la  conducion  de  las  maderas,  seis  ii  ocho 
caballos  para  ei  cuidado  de  los  bueyes,  como  asi  mismo  seis  d 
ocho  hombres  para  que  estos  escolten  la  gente  mientras  traba- 
jan  en  el  monte,  pues  los  soldados  de  este  destacamento  se  com- 
ponen  de  18  hombres,  cuatro  en  la  caballada  y  un  cuartelero 
y  un  ranchero,  doce  que  hacen  el  servicio,  entrando  seis  de 
guardia  cada  dia,  pues  se  mantienen  dos  centinelas  de  dia  y  de 
noche,  y  no  estan  ociosos  como  a  V,  Sa.   le  han  informado." 


301 

"  Quedo  enterado  de  haber  V.  Sa.,  tornado  providencia  para 
que  se  traigan  de  la  estancia  del  Rey  veinte  cabezas  de  ganado 
las  que  hasta  la  fecha  no  ban  parecido  y  me  be  visto  precisado 
a  comprar  algunas  reses  para  dar  de  comer  a  esta  gente. 
Dios  guarde  a  V.  S,  mucbos  aiios. 
Reduccion  de  Remolinos  10  de  Febero  de  1807." 

ANDR:fiS  ALARCON  Y  ZALAZAR. 
Senor  Gobernador  Intendente  Don  Bernado  de  Velazco. 


302 


ANEXO   C. 

Con  el  oficio  de  V.  S.  de  seis  del  que  rige,  he  recibido  una 
nomina  de  utensilios  que  reza  doscientas  bayonetas,  24  cartu- 
cheras,  30  cartuchos  con  balas,  24  piedras  de  chispa,  y  una 
hacha.  A  la  llegada  del  chaique  e  impuesto  del  oficio  de  V.  Sa. 
hice  cargo  al  soldado  conductor  y  nie  contesto  que  solo  se  le 
habian  entregado  30  cartuchos  con  balas,  12  piedras  de  chispa 
y  una  hacha,  que  fue  lo  unico  que  se  leentreg(5  por  el  adminis- 
trador  interino  del  ranio  de  guerra." 

"  Con  esta  fecha  he  recibido  8  j^eones  entre  raulatos  e  indios 
que  me  ha  remitido  el  Teniente  Don  Ignacio  Samaniego  para  el 
trabajo  de  la  obra  de  este  fuerte." 

"Pero,  Senor,  como  V.  Sa.  en  el  oficio  que  se  sirvio  pasarme 
con  fecha  de  veinte  y  siete  de  Euero  de  este  presente  aiio  me 
dice  V.  S.  dispondra  Vd.  que  los  pardos  libres  que  se  despachan 
a  ese  destacamento  corten  y  preparen  maderas,  pajas  y  lo  de- 
mas  necesario  para  levantarla  de  nuevo  6  refaccionarla  ;  por 
cuyo  motive  pensandome  que  estos  peones  viniesen  con  todas 
las  herramientas  necesarias,  como  son  hachas,  machetes,  azuelas 
y  cuchillos  para  el  corte  de  paja  y  guasquerio  para  torsales  y 
demas  ;  por  dicho  motive  no  se  lo  hize  presente  a  V.  Sa.  cu- 
ando  le  hable  de  las  dos  carretas,  por  lo  cual  estan  parados 
dichos  peones,  por  no  tener  herramientas  hasta  que  V.  S.  se 
sirva  mandarlas,  y  si  es  posible  en  la  canoa  donde  viene  el  ar- 
tillero  que  sale  el  dia  20  de  esa  plaza." 

"Despache  las  dos  ordenes  de  V.  Sa.  que  se  sirvio  mandarme 
para  los  cajjataces  de  las  estaucias  del  pueblo  de  Atira  y  Gua- 
rambare,  de  los  cuales  estoy  informado  que  no  tiene  uno  ni  otro 
bueyes  ni  carretas." 

"  Esta  faena,  Seiior,  es  bastante  pesada,  por  estar  los  montes 
retirados  donde  deben  irabajar  los  peones,  y  estos  deben  ser 
oustodiados  con  buena  escolta  por  estar  continuamente  en  peli- 
pro  de  8or  atacados  por  los  indios  iiifieles." 


303 

"  Para  la  casa  del  Reverendo  Padre  Cura  y  la  Iglesia  se  ne- 
cesitan  dos  mil  y  mas  tejas  de  palmas,  ademas  de  las  otras  ofi- 
cinas  y  la  guardia  en  que  vive  la  tropa  estan  inhabitables  ;  sin 
contar  con  el  fuerte  que  se  compone  de  ochocientos  y  mas 
postes,  por  lo  que,  desde  luego,  se  me  hace  cosa  imposible  que 
con  tan  corto  numero  de  gente  se  pueda  facilitar  la  reedifica- 
cion  de  este  fuerte:  ademas  de  lo  dicho,  para  la  mantencion  de 
esta  gente  es  necesario  que  se  sirva  V.  Sa.  dar  providencia  de 
la  carne  con  que  se  ban  de  mantener,  anticipadamente,  pues  el 
27  de  Enero  ppdo.  se  sirvio  V.  Sa.  mandar  que  de  la  estancia 
del  Rey  se  me  trajesen  veinte  cabezas  de  ganado  para  el  con- 
sumo  de  la  tropa  de  mi  cargo,  y  he  recibido  a  los  19  dias,  diez  y 
nueve  cabezas  inclusos  cu  itro  terneros  y  dos  toros  para  morirse 
de  flacos  ;  asi  mismo  la  racion  de  yerba,  tabaco  y  sal,  que  tam- 
bien  la  conduce  el  artillero,  sirviendose  V.  Sa.  mandar  que  ven- 
ga   a  parte  el  de  la  tropa. 

"Dios  guarde  a  V.  Sa  muchos  anos. 

"Reduccion  de  Remolinos,  Febrero  15  de  1807. 

"  Andres  Alarcon  t  Salazar. 
"Senor  Gobernador  Intendente  del  Paraguay." 


304 

ANEXO   C. 

N°.   35. 

"  Cuando  recibi  el  oficio  de  Yd.  de  15  del  corriente  estaba  ya 
en  camino  la  canoa  que  va  para  esa  guardia,  la  que  al  momento 
la  mande  detener,  y  en  ella  reraito  a  Vd,  dos  hachas,  cuatro 
machetes  y  seis  cuchillos,  no  teniendo  por  ahora  mas  tiempo 
que  para  avisarle  a  V.  dicha  remision  con  lo  que  contesto  a  su 
referido  oficio. 

"  Dios  guarde,  &c. 

"Asuncion  20  de  Febrero  de  1807. 

"  BERNiLRDO    DE    VeLASCO. 

"  Al  Commandante  de  Remolinos." 


305 


ANEXO   C. 

N°.  36. 

"  El  oficio  que  acabo  de  recibir  de  V.  Sa.  relative  a  la  nave- 
gaciou  del  Rio  Bermejo,  que  ha  meditado  como  1itil  para  facili- 
tar  la  comuuicacion  y  comercio  de  esa  Provincia  con  las  demas 
interiores  de  este  Virreynato,  debe  pasarse  al  asesor  para  dietar 
la  sustanciacion  y  determinacion  que  corresponda  sobre  este 
punto  y  demas  que  contieiie.  Lo  que  aviso  a  V.  S.,  por  ahora, 
hasta  que  verificada  esta,  pueda  prevenirle  lo  que  deba  ejecutar 
sobre  los  mismos  puntos. 

"  Dios  guarde  a  Y.  S.  muchos  anos. 

"  Buenos  Aires  19  de  Mayo  de  1794. 

"  Nicolas  de  Arredondo. 
Seiior  Gobernador  Intendente  del  Paraguay." 


306 

ANEXO   C. 

N°.   37. 

"  Por  carta  de  V.  S.  de  14  de  Julio  iiltimo,  No.  23,  quedo  im- 
puesto  de  que  la  espedicion  dirijida  a  Salta  habia  llegado  a  los 
doce  dias  ^  de  camino  al  Monte  Grande,  poco  distante  del 
Fuerte  del  Rio  del  Valle,  sin  tener  desgracia  alguna  ni  oposicion 
de  los  indios  del  transito. 

Dios  guarde  a  V.  S.  muchos  aiios.  Buenos  Aires,  18  de 
Agosto  de  1794. 

Nicolas  de  Arredondo. 
Seuor  Gobernador  Intendente  del  Paraguay. 


307 

ANEXO   C. 

N°.  38. 

Por  oficio  de  V.  Sa.  de  23  de  Agosto  Mtimo  y  copia  que 
acompana  del  que  recibiu  del  Comandante  de  armas  de  Salta, 
quedo  enterado  de  la  llegada,  que  verifico  a  los  25  dias  la  espe- 
dicion  que  despacho  V.  S.  con  el  objeto  de  abrir  comunicacion 
entre  esa  y  aquella  provincia. 

Dios  guarde  a  V.  S.  muchos  aiios.  Buenos  Aires  17  de 
Setierabre  de  1794. 

Nicolas  de  Arredondo. 
Senor  Gobernador  Intendente  del  Paraguay." 


308 

ANEXO   C. 

N°.  39. 

"  Con  oficio  de  V.  S.  de  10  de  Setiembre  ultimo  he  recibido  la 
propuesta  de  grades  que  ha  hecho  a  favor  de  varios  individuos 
que  se  distinguieron  por  sus  servicios  en  la  espedicion  destinada 
a  abrir  por  el  Chaco  la  comunicacion  directa  entre  esa  Provincia 
y  la  de  Salta;  y  considenindolos  acreedores  a  ellos  por  el  merito 
que  han  contraido  en  esta  importante  empresa  y  de  que  hace  V. 
S.  relacion,  lo  dirijo  todo  a  S.  M.  con  la  correspondiente  recomen- 
dacion  por  la  f  ragata  correo,  proximo  a  salir  de  Montevideo. 

Entretanto  que  llega  la  Real  resolucion,  quedo  pronto  en  dar 
a  los  mismos  interesados,  si  la  solicitasen,  una  prueba  de  lo  grato 
que  me  son  dichos  servicios,  confiriendoles  los  respectivos  grados 
para  que  los  propone  V.  S.,  excepto  el  de  Coronel  de  Milicias, 
por  tener  S.  M.  resuelto  que  no  se  de  tal  distincion  por  este 
Superior  Gobierno,  sino  en  un  caso  muy  particular  y  en  que  sea 
de  inconveniente    la   demora. 

Dios  guarde  a  V.  S.  muchos  aiios. 
Buenos  Aires  18  de  Octubre  de  1794. 

Nicolas  de  Akeedondo. 
Senor  Gobernador  Intendente  del  Paraguay. 


309 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.  40. 

"  He  recibido  la  carta  de  V.  S.  de  10  de  Setiembre  {iltimo  en 
que  me  avisa  el  regreso  de  la  espedicion  que  despacho  a  la  aper- 
tura  del  eamino  de  Salta,  y  haber  conducido  ahi  muchos  Caci- 
ques Vilelas  y  Tobas  para  tratar  con  ellos  lo  correspondiente  a 
esta  empresa:  y  quedo  enterado  de  haberse  logrado  esta,  sin 
gravamen  de  la  Real  hacienda,  ni  auxilios  de  aquella  Provincia, 
esperando  que,  desembarazado  V.  S.  de  sus  actuales  preferentes 
atenciones,  me  envie  el  informe  que  ofrece  sobre  el  modo  de 
facilitar  la  comunicacion  en  lo  sucesivo. 

Dios  guarde  a  V.  S.  muchos  aiios. 
Buenos  Aires  IV  de  Octubre  de   1794. 

Nicolas  dk  Arredondo. 
Seiior  Gobernador  Intendente  del  Paraguay. 


310 

AXEXO  C. 

X°.  41. 

Real  Despacho  de  22  de  Agosto  de  1783  por  el  cual  es  nora- 
brado  Gobernador  Intendente  de  la  Provincia  del  Paraguay, 
Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  comprendiendo  su  jurisdiccion 
todo  el  territorio  de  su  obispado,  con  los  trece  pueblos  de  las 
misiones. 

Don  Carlos,  por  la  gracia  de  Dios,  Rev  de  Castilla,  de  Leon 
de  Aragon,  de  las  dos  Sicilias,  de  Jerusalem,  de  Xavarra,  de 
Granada,  de  Toledo,  de  Valencia,  de  Galicia,  de  Mallorca,  de 
Sevilla,  de  Cerdeiia,  de  Cordoba,  de  Corcega,  de  Murcia,  de  Jaen, 
de  los  Algarves,  de  Algeciras,  de  Gibraltar,  de  las  islas  Cana- 
rias,  de  las  Indias  Orientales  y  Ocidentales,  Islas  y  tierras  firmes 
del  mar  Oceano,  Archiduque  de  Austria,  Duque  de  Borgona, 
de  Brabante  y  Milan,  Conde  de  Apsburg,  Flandes,  Tirol  y  Bar- 
celona, Seiior  de  Viscaya,  de  Molina,  etc.,  etc. 

Aprobado  como  tengo  por  la  Real  Ordenanza  de  28  de  Enero 
de  1782,  el  establecimiento  de  una  Intendencia  de  Ejercito  y  de 
Provincia  en  el  Virreynato  de  Buenos  Aires,  y  hecho  despues 
algunas  declaraciones  para  su  mejor  observancia  y  practica,  por 
Real  Cedula  de  5  del  presente  mes  de  Agosto,  y  resuelto  tambien 
que  las  Intendencias  de  Provincias  queden  unidas  por  ahora  a 
los  respectivos  Gobiernos  militares  de  los  territorios  que  a  cada 
una  se  senalan:  vengo  en  concederos  por  el  tiempo  de  mi 
voluntad  a  Vos  el  Coronel  de  mis  Reales  Ejercitos,  Don  Pedro 
Melo,  la  Intendencia  de  la  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay, 
que  comprendera  todo  el  territorio  de  aquel  Obispado  y  cuyo 
Gobierno  Militar  estais  sirviendo.  Por  tanto,  mando  al  Virrey 
y  Capitan  General  de  las  Provincias  del  Rio  de  la  Plata  y  al 
Intendente  de  Ejercito  y  Real  Hacienda  de  Buenos  Aires,  como 
Superintendente  Subdelegado  de  ella  en  todo  el  distrito  de  aquel 
Virreynato,  os  hayan  y  tengan  por  tal  Intendente  de  Provincia 
de  los  territorios  seiialados  a  este  cargo  y  el  de  Gobernador  Mili- 
tar se  ellos;  y  que  los  demas  Gobernadores  e  Intendentes  de  las 
Provincias  respectivas  y  sujetos  al  propio  Virreynato,  el  Tribu- 


311 

nal  de  cuentas  de  el,  los  Ministros  y  subalternos  de  los  oficios 
de  Real  Hacienda,  las  Justicias,  cabos  militares,  oficiales,  caba- 
llero,  y  demas  vecinos  y  habitantes  de  las  citadas  Provincias,  os 
hayan  y  reconoczan  por  tal  Gobernador  Intendente  de  Provincia 
guardandoos  y  haciendo  se  os  guarden  todas  las  honras,  gracias 
y  prerogativas  que  os  tengan  y  debeia  ser  guardadas,  por  ser  asi 
mi  voluntad.  Y  que  se  os  ponga  en  posesion  de  este  empleo,  se  os 
pague  el  sueldo  que  tengo  sefialado  en  la  referida  ordenanza  de 
28  deEnero  del  ano  proximo  pasadoy  Real  Cedula  de  5  del  cor- 
riente  mes  de  Agosto. 

Y  de  este  titulo  firmado  de  mi  Real  mano,  sellado  con  mi 
sello  secreto  y  refrendado  por  mi  Secretario  de  Estado  y  del 
Despacho  universal  de  Indias,  se  tomara  razon  en  la  Contaduria 
General  de  Indias  y  en  la  de  Ejercito  de  Buenos  Aires  y  demas 
oficinas  de  mi  Real  Hacienda  a  que  pueda  corresponder. 

Dado  en  San  Ildefonso  a  veinte  y  dos  de  Agosto  de  mil  sete- 
cientos  ochenta  y  tres. 

Lugar  del  Real  Sello. 

Yo  El  Rey. 
Jose  de  Galtes. 

Tomose  razon  en  la  Contaduria  General  de  Indias.  Madrid  23 
de  Agosto  de  1783. 

Don  Francisco  Machado. 

Buenos  Aires  21  de  Xoviembre  de  1783. 

Cumplase  lo  que  Su  Magestad  manda  en  el  precedente  Real 
Titulo  y  tomese  razon  de  el  en  la  Contaduria  mayor  de  este  Vir- 
reynato  y  en  las  cajas  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay. 

Francisco  de  Pablo  Saenz. 

Tomose  razon  en  la  Contaduria  mayor  de  este  Virreynato. 
Buenos  Aires,  veinte  y  cinco  de  Noviembre  de  1783. 

Francisco  de  Caprera. 

NoTA. — Con  el  proposito  de  acreditar  mas  y  mas  nuestra  con- 
tinuada  posesion  delterritorio  del  Chaco  Paraguay o,  voy  a  copiar 
otros  documentos  relatives  a  dicha  posesion,  que  se  encuentran 
originales  en  el  Legajo  de  Coleccion  de  Bandos  pdblicos  en 
1841  y  42,  voltimen  16,  No.  4,  y  son  como  sigue. 


312 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.  42. 

El  Sargento  de  Granaderos,  Ciudadano  Jose  Maria  Rolon  pa- 
sara  a  publicar  en  cada  uno  de  los  Fuertes  del  Chaco  todo  lo  que 
el  Soberano  Congreso  General  Extraordinario  ha  sancionado  con 
valor  y  fuerza  de  ley  por  el  ordende  los  adjuntos  documentos  10, 
asentando  en  cada  fuerte  la  diligencia  de  publicacion,  y  dara 
cuenta. 

Otro  si:  a  cada  Sargento  dejara  una  de  las  adjuntas  cuatro 
copias  autorizadas  del  Decreto  de  29  de  Noviembre  proximo  pa- 
sado  preceptivo  de  la  Jura  de  nuestra  Independencia  Nacional, 
en  el  dia  25  de  este  mes,  para  que  llegado  el  dia  seiialado, 
estienda  cada  uno  la  diligencia  del  juramente  de  la  tropa,  en 
continuacion  de  dicho  testinionio. 

Asuncion,   Diciembre  19  de  1842. 

El  Gobierno  Supremo. 

Lopoz. 

Algjtzo. 


313 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.  43. 

En  este  Fuerte  de  Santa  Elena  a  20  de  Diciembre  de  1842: 
habiendome  personado  yo  el  Sargento  de  Granaderos  Ciudadano 
Jose  Maria  Rolon  para  poner  en  cumplimiento  la  comision  que 
el  Supremo  Gobierno  de  la  Kepubliea  se  ha  servido  encargarme 
en  la  supreraa  orden  antecedente,  la  he  notificado  al  Sargento 
de  esta  guarnicion  Ciudadano  Pantaleon  Balmaceda,  y  habien- 
dose  presentado  en  un  acto  con  todos  los  individuos  que  la  com- 
ponen  he  publicado  con  el  posible  soleninidad  la  aprobacion 
Soberana  del  Mensage  del  Supremo  Gobierno  al  Soberano  Con- 
greso  General  extraordiuario,  el  acta  de  la  Independencia  de  la 
Repiibliea  del  Paraguay,  la  Ley  del  Pabellon  Nacional  y  el  sello  de 
la  Republica:  el  Supremo  Decreto  del  restablecimiento  de  diez- 
mos  y  lo  deraas  de  su  tenor;  y  ultimamente  el  Supremo  Decreto 
sobre  la  libertad  de  vientres  de  esclavas.  Otro  si  digo:  que 
tambien  he  publicado  el  Supremo  Decreto  de  Xoviembre  ppdo. 
que  senala  el  25  de  este  mes  para  la  Jura  de  nuestra  Indepen- 
dencia Nacional,  y  he  entregado  el  respectivo  testimonio  al  es- 
presado  Pantaleon  Balmaceda  para  que  en  continuacion  asiente 
el  juramento  de  la  tropa  que  se  ha  de  practicar  en  dicho  dia  se- 
nalado  y  para  constancia  de  todo  firmaron  conmigo  el  sargento  y 
cabos  de  que  certifico. 

Jose  Maeia  Rolox, 
Paxtaleon  Balmaceda, 
Jose  Valentin  Colman, 
Candido  Merino. 


314 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.  44. 

En  este  Fuerte  de  Monte-Claro  a  20  de  Diciembre  de  1842 
habiendome  personado  yo  el  Sargento  de  granaderos  Ciudadano 
Jose  Maria  Rolon  para  poner  en  cumplimiento  la  comision  que 
el  Supremo  Gobierno  de  la  Repiiblica  se  ha  servido  encargarme 
en  la  suprema  orden  antecedente,  la  he  notificado  al  Sargento  de 

esta  guarnicion  Ciudadano  Jose  Francisco  Gamarra 

(sigue  como  la  anterior  y  firman) 

Jose  Maria  Rolox, 
Jose  Francisco  Gamarra, 
Nicolas  Trinidad, 
Anselmo  Caxdia, 
Pablo  Salixas. 


315 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.  45. 

En  este  Fuerte  de  Orange,  a  veinte  y  uno  de  Diciembre  de 
mil  ocho  cientos  cuarenta  y  dos,  habiendome  personado  yo  el 
Sargento  de  Granaderos,  Ciudadano  Jose  Maria  Rolon,  para 
poner  en  cumplimiento  la  comision  que  el  Supremo  Gobierno  de 
la  Republica  se  ha  servido  encargarme  en  la  suprema  urden  an- 
tecedente,  la  he  notificado  al  Sargento  de  esta  guarnicion,  Ciu- 
dadano Leonardo  Martinez (sigue  como  el  primero 

y   firman) 

Jose  Maria  Rolox, 
Leokakdo  Martines, 
Paxtaleox  Lopez, 
Francisco  Sosa. 


316 


ANEXO  C. 

N°.  46. 

En  este  Fuerte  de  Formoso,  a  22  de  Diciembre,  de  1842,  yo 
el  Sargento  de  Granaderos,  Ciudadano  Jose  Maria  Rolon,  para 
poner  en  curaplimiento  la  comision  que  el  Supremo  Gobierno 
de  la  Republica  se  ha  servido  encargarme  en  la  Suprema  orden 
antecedente,  la  he  notificado  al  Sargento  de  esta  guarnicion 
Ciudadano  Manuel  Machuca  (sigue  como  la  primera  y  firman) 

Jose  Maria^^Rolox, 
Manuel  Machuca, 
Santiago  Sosa, 
Felipe  Arguello, 

SiLVERIO  QuiXOXES, 


317 

ANEXO  C. 

N'*.  47. 

TrATADO    DE    12    DE    OCTUBRE    DE    1811. 

Los  infrascritos,  Presideiite  y  Vocales  de  la  Junta  de  esta 
Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay,  y  los  Representantes  de  la 
Exma.  Junta  establecida  en  Buenos  Aires  y  asociada  de  Dipu- 
tados  del  Rio  de  la  Plata,  habiendo  sido  enviados  con  plenos 
poderes  con  el  objeto  de  acordar  las  providencias  convenientes 
a  la  union  y  comun  felicidad  de  arabas  Provincias  y  demas  con- 
federadas,  y  a  consolidar  el  sisteraa  de  nuestra  regeneracion 
politica,  teniendo  al  mismo  tiempo  presente  las  comunicaciones 
hechas  por  parte  de  esta  dicha  Provincia  del  Paraguay  en  20  de 
Julio  ultimo  a  la  citada  Exma.  Junta  y  las  ideas  ■  eneficas  y 
liberales  que  animan  a  esta,  conducida  siempre  de  sus  constantes 
principios  de  justicia,  de  equidad  y  de  igualdad  manifestados  en 
su  contestacion  oficial  de  28  de  Agosto  siguiente :  heraos  con- 
venido  y  coiicordado  despues  de  una  deteuidji  reflexion  en  los 
articulos  siguientes: 

Primero:  Hallandose  esta  Provincia  en  urgente  necesidad  de 
auxilios  para  mautener  una  fuerza  efectiva  y  respetable  para  su 
seguridad,  y  para  poder  rechazar  y  hacer  frente  a  las  maquina- 
ciones  de  todo  enemigo  interior  6  exterior  de  nuestro  sistema, 
convenimos  unanimeraente  en  que  el  tabaco  de  la  Real  Hacienda 
existente  en  esta  misma  Provincia  se  venda  de  cuenta  de  ella,  y 
sus  productos  se  inviertan  en  aquel  sagrado  objeto  u  otro  de  su 
analogia,  al  prudente  arbitrio  de  la  propia  Junta  de  esta  Ciudad 
de  la  Asuncion,  quedando  como  efectivamente  queda  extinguido 
el  estanco  de  esta  especie  y  consiguientemente  de  libre  comercio 
para  lo  sucesivo, 

Segundo:  que  asi  mismo  el  peso  de  sisa  y  arbitrio  que  ante- 
riormente  se  pagaba  en  la  Ciudad  de  Buenos  Aires  por  cada 
tercio  de  yerba  que  se  extraia  de  esta  Provincia  del  Paraguay, 
se  cobre  en  adelante  en  esta  misma  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  con 
aplicacion  precisa  a  los  mismos  objetos  indicados;  y  para  que 


318 

n 

esta  determinacion  tenga  en  adelante  el  debido  efecto  se  hara 
oportunamente  las  prevenciones  convenientes,  en  la  inteligencia 
de  que  sin  peijuicio  de  los  derechos  de  esta  Proviucia  del  Para- 
guay, podra  para  los  mismds  fines  establecerse  por  la  Exma. 
Junta  algun  moderado  impuesto  a  la  introduccion  de  sils  frutos 
en  Buenos  Aires,  siempre   que  una  urgente  necesidad  lo  exija. 

Tercero:  Considerando  que,  a  mas  de  ser  regular  y  justo 
que  el  derecho  de  alcabalas  se  satisfaga  en  el  lugar  de  la  venta 
donde  se  adeuda,  no  se  cobre  en  esta  Provincia  del  Paraguay  al- 
cabala  alguna  del  espendio  que  en  la  de  Buenos  Aires  hade  hacerse 
de  los  efectos  6  frutos  que  se  esportaren  de  esta  de  la  Asuncion. 
Tampoco  en  lo  sucesivo  se  cobrara  anticipadamente  alcabala 
alguna  en  dicha  Ciudad  de  Buenos  Aires  y  demas  de  su  compre- 
hension, por  razon  de  las  ventas  que  en  esta  del  Paraguay  deben 
ejecutarse  de  cualesquier  efectos  que  se  conducen  6  seremiten  a 
ella,  entendiendose  con  la  calidad  de  que  sin  perjuicio  de  los  de- 
rechos de  esta  Provincia,  podra  arreglarse  este  punto  en  el  Con- 
greso. 

CuARTO:  A  fin  de  precaver  en  cuanto  sea  posible  toda  desa- 
venencia  entre  los  moradores  de  una  y  otra  Provincia,  con  moti- 
vo  de  la  diferencia  ocurrida  sobre  la  pertenencia  del  Partido  noni- 
brado  de  Pedro  Gonzales  y  se  halla  situado  de  esta  banda  del 
Parana ;  continuara  por  ahora  en  la  misma  forma  que  actual- 
mente  se  halla,  en  cuya  virtud  se  encargara  al  Cura  de  las  En- 
senadas  de  la  Ciudad  de  Corrientes  no  haga  novedad  alguna,  ni 
se  ingiera  en  lo  espiritual  de  dicho  Partido,  en  la  inteligencia 
de  que  en  Buenos  Aires  se  acordara  con  el  lUmo.  Seiior  Obispo 
lo  conveniente  al  cumplimiento  de  esta  disposicion  interina,hasta 
tanto  que  con  mas  conocimiento  se  establezca  en  el  Congreso 
General  la  demarcacion  fija  de  ambas  Provincias,  hacia  ese  cos- 
tado,  debiendo  en  lo  demas  quedar  tambien  por  ahora  los  limi- 
tes  de  esta  Provincia  del  Paraguay  en  la  forma  en  que  actual- 
mente  se  hallan^  encargandose  consiguientemente  su  Gobieruo 
de  custodiar  el  departamento  de  Candelaria. 

QuiNTO:  Por  consecuencia  de  la  Independencia  en  que  queda 
esta  Provincia'  del  Paraguay  de^la  de  Buenos  Aires   conforme  a 


319 

lo  convenido  en  la  citada  contestaeion  oficial  de  28  de  Agosto 
ultimo,  tainpoco  la  monoionada  Exraa.  Junta  pondra  reparo  en 
el  eumplimiento  y  ejecucion  de  las  demas  dcliberaciones  toma- 
das  por  esta  del  Paraguay  en  Junta  General  conforme  a  las 
declaraciones  del  presente  tratado. 

Y  bajo  estos  articulos,  deseando  ambas  partes  contratantes 
estrechar  mas  y  mas  los  vinculos  y  empenos  que  unen  y  deben 
unir  ambas  Provincias  en  una  federacion  y  alianza  indisoluble, 
se  obliga  cada  una  por  la  suya,  no  solo  a  conservar  y  cultivar 
una  sincera,  solida  y  perpetua  amistad,  sino  tambien  auxiliarse 
y  cooperar  mutua  y  eficazmente  con  todo  genero  de  au- 
xilios,  segun  permitan  las  circunstancias  de  cada  una,  toda  vez 
que  los  demande  el  sagrado  fin  de  aniquilar  y  destruir  cualqui- 
era  enemigo  que  quiera  oponerse  a  los  progresos  de  nuestra  causa 
y  comun  libertad.  En  fe  de  todo  lo  cual  con  las  mas  sinceras 
protestas  de  que  estos  estrechos  vinculos  uniran  siempre  en 
dulce  confratei-nidad  a  esta  Provincia  del  Paraguay  y  las  demas 
del  Rio  de  la  Plata,  haciendo  a  este  efecto  entrega  de  los  po- 
deres  insinuados,firmamos  esta  acta  por  duplicado  con  los  re- 
spectivos  Secretarios,  para  que  cada  parte  conserve  la  suya  a 
los   fines  consiguientes. 

Fecha  en  esta  dicha  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay,  a 
doce  de  Octubre  de  mil  oche  cientos  once, 

FULGENCIO  YeGBOS, 

Dr.  Jose  Gaspar  de  Francia, 

Pedro  Juan  Caballeros, 

M.  Dr.  Vicente  Anastasio  de  Echeverria, 

Pedro  Feliciano  de  Cavia. 


320 

ANEXO  C. 

N°.  48. 

Real  Cedula  de  11  de  Febrero  de  1724. 

El  Rey, 

Reverendo  en  Cristo  Padre  Obispo  de  lalglesia  Catedral  de  la 
Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay,  de  mi  Consejo  : 

En  carta  de  seis  de  Marzo  del  ano  proximo  pasado,  participa  el 
Reverendo  Obispo  de  Buenos  Aires  que  la  jurisdiccion  de  aquel 
Obispado  esta  conf  undida  con'  los  llmites  de  esa  Diocesis  en  los 
pueblos  de  las  Misiones  de  la  Compaiiia  de  Jesus,  pidiendo  se 
senale  terraino  al  dicho  Obispado  de  Buenos  Aires  para  que 
se  conozca  a  que  Prelado  toca  dar  la  canonica  institucion  en  los 
referidos  pueblos,  y  en  otros  nuevos  que  se  auraentan  cada  dia 
en  las  mismas  doctrinas  de  la  Compaiiia,  pues,  por  falta  de 
esta  noticia  se  hallan  algunos  de  los  dichos  pueblos  visitados 
de  ambos  Obispos,  remitiendo  testimonios  de  las  ereeciones  de 
algunos  pueblos  de  las  nuevas  reducciones  para  que  se  reconozca, 
cuales  fueron  desde  su  division  los  terminos  de  cada  uno  de 
esos  dos  Obispados  :  Yisto  en  mi  Consejo  de  las  Indias,  con  lo 
que  al  Fiscal  de  el  se  le  ofrecio,  he  resuelto  que  trateis  sobre 
todos  estos  puntos  (como  os  lo  ruego  y  encargo)  con  el  Reve- 
rendo Obispo  de  Buenos  Aires  6  con  la  sede  vacante  si  la 
hubiere,  arreglandoos  a  las  ereeciones  de  esas  Iglesias  y  a  la  po- 
sesion  y  costumbre  en  que  estuviereis,  tocante  al  ejercicio  de 
vuestra  jurisdiccion,  y  despues  de  tratados  y  conferidos,  remi- 
tireis  su  resulta  al  Presidente  y  Audiencia  do  las  Charcas,  a 
quienes  se  espide  la  urdeu  conveniente  para  que  determinen  esta 
dependencia  y  den  cuenta  distinta  de  la  resolucion  que  se 
toiiuire  en  aquel  Tribunal. 

Y  asi  lo  tendreis  entendido  para  su  puntual  cumplimiento. 
De  Madrid  a  once  de  Febrero  de  mil  setecientos  y  veinte  y  cuatro. 

Yo  EL  Rey. 
Por  mandado  del  Rey  Nuestro  Sefior. 

Don  Francisco  de  Arana. 
(Aqui  se  hallan  tres  rubricas). 

Al  Obispo  del  Paraguay,  en  dependencia  de  los  limites  de 
aquel  Obispado  y  del  de  Buenos  Aires. 


321 

ANEXO  D. 

N°.  1. 

En  1Y82  el  Procurador  Sindico  General  de  la  Ciudad  de  la 
Asuncion,  Juan  de  Machain,  en  una  larga  esposicion,  que  corre 
de  fojas  22  a  fojas  25  y  vuelta  del  documento  de  su  referenda, 
dirijida  al  Seiior  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  de  la  Provincia 
del  Paraguay,  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  dice  :  que,  en 
vista  de  lo  que  disponen  las  Reales  Cedulas,  cuyos  testiraonios 
acompaiia  a  su  presentacion,  con  respecto  a  que  su  Magestad  el 
Rey  se  sirvio  consignar  en  ellas  a  beneficio  de  la  Provincia  del 
Paraguay,  cuatro  mil  pesos  deplata  del  Ramo  de  Sisa  del  Tucu- 
man  y  destinar  todoel  importe  del  producto  de  la  limosna  de  la 
Santa  Bula  de  Cruzada  de  Vivos  y  Difuntos,  a  fin  de  concurrir 
con  su  producto  al  fomento  y  conservacion  de  las  Reducciones, 
Presidios  y  Plazas  que  existian  sobre  las  costas  del  Rio  y  en  el 
interior  de  la  Provincia,  por  interesarse  en  ello  la  paz  y  tran- 
quilidad  del  vecindario,  el  aumento  de  su  poblacion  y  la  propa- 
gacion  de  la  Religion  Catolica,  y  en  el  proposito  de  gestionar 
la  verificacion  de  las  concesiones  consignadas  en  las  referidas 
cedulas  a  favor  de  la  Provincia  ;  pedia  al  Seiior  Gobernador  se 
sirviese  admitir  la  iuformacion  de  treinta  testigos  idoneos  que 
ofrecia  presentar  para  que  fuesen  examinados  sobre  los  puntos 
de  su  escrito,  debiendo  dar  en  seguida  cuenta  u  quien  corres- 
pondiera  de  lo  que  resultara  de  la  informacion,  que  debia 
recibirse  al  tenor  del  interrogatorio  siguiente  : 

Peegunta  1* — Primeraraente  sean  preguntados,  juren,  de- 
claren  y  digan  sobre  el  tenor  y  puntos  de  este  Pedimento. 

Pregunta  2^ — Item,  digan  si  en  realidad  tiene  esta  Provincia 
los  Pueblos,  Reducciones,  Plazas,  Fuertes  y  Fortines,  Vecinda- 
rio y  Tropa,  que  refiere  por  menor  el  estado*  que  igualmeutepre- 
senta  y  jura,  para  que  instruyendose  en  el  punto  por  punto, 
expongan  con  claridad  todo  lo  que  supieren,  aiiadiendo  lo  mas 
que  no  se  esprese  en  dicha  razon  y  estado,  con  dcclaracion  de 
todos  los  Establecimientos,  Fuertes  y  Reducciones  que  se  ban 
erigido  desde  el  ingreso  de  V.  S.  a  este  Gobierno. 


322 

Prbgunta  3* — Item,  digan,  si  con  los  Fuertes  y  Fortines 
establecidos  en  la  frontera  costa  abajo  y  costa  arriba  del  Rio 
Paraguay,  y  con  la  vigilancia  de  las  canoas,  que  de  Presidio  en 
Presidio  velau  los  pasos  y  costa  del  Rio  con  gente  de  guerra 
diariamente,  se  ha  logrado  total  quietud  en  la  Provincia,  sin  que 
los  Indios  barbaros  que  antes  la  invadian  hayan  continuado 
SOS  hostilidades  en  el  Gobierno  de  V.  S.  ;  y  aunque  hubiesen 
ejecutado  algunos  insultos,  si  es  verdad  que  escarmentados  con 
el  castigo,  se  ban  visto  en  la  precision  de  pedir  Reducciones,  no 
pudiendo  ya  subsistir  de  los  continuos  robos  de  ganados,  que 
antiguamente  ejecutaban  en  la  Provincia  ? 

Pregunta  4* — Item,  digan  cuantas  naciones  son,  las  que  se 
ban  reconocido  por  enemigas  de  esta  Provincia :  y  si  en  algun 
tiempo  antes  del  mando  de  V.  S.  pidieron  Reducciones  ;  ex- 
presen  que  nacion  6  naciones  fueron  estas  ;  enqueparajes  se  les 
formo  la  Reduccion  :  a  costa  de  quien  :  y  cuanto  tiempo  per- 
severaron  en  sujecion,  y  espresen  el  afio  6  Gobierno  en  que  se 
alzaron  :  los  daiios  que  ejecutaron  en  sus  propios  Pueblos  y 
Ganados  al  tiempo  de  la  retirada  ? 

Pregunta  5"^ — Item,  digan,  si  no  obstante  estas  Reducciones 
sierapre  se  experimentaban  insultos  en  diferentes  valles  de  esta 
Provincia,  acusandoseles  estos  daiios  a  los  mismos  reducidos  : 
y  si  es  verdad,  que  para  su  formacion  contribuyo  el  vecindario 
donatives  graciosos  de  ganados  y   demas  utensilios  necesarios  ? 

Pregunta  6^ — Item,  digan  cuantos  insultos  se  ban  experi- 
mentado  de  cuatro  afios  a  esta  parte  y  si  es  verdad  que  en  las 
ocasiones  que  intentaron  hostilizar  la  Provincia  se  les  ha  repre- 
sado  siempre  todo  el  robo,  huyendo  al  Chaco,  escarmentados  y 
cuasi  a  pie  ? 

Pregunta  7* — l^em,  digan  si  es  verdad  que  entre  otras  oca- 
siones que  se  ha  escarmentado  ji  estos  Indios,  se  les  represo  por 
tres  veces  porcion  de  ganado  y  caballos  robados  de  esta  juris- 
diccion,  habiendo  sido  preciso  irlos  a  buscar  a  sus  propias  tier- 
ras  para  escarmentarlos  en  tres  entradas  que  se  hicieron  en 
Gobierno  de  V.  S.  ? 


323 

pREGUNTA  8^ — Item,  digan  si  con  este  eecarmiento  y  por  la 
imposibilidad  de  hacer  invasiones,  mediante  los  muclios  Presi- 
dios, que  sobre  la  costa  del  rio  sirveii  de  defensa  a  la  Provincia, 
pidieron  Reduccion  los  Mocobies,  y  filtimaruente  la  han  soli- 
citado  tambien los Tobas  ;  que  unas  y  otias  son  naciones  barbaras 
y  guerreras  del  Chaco  ;  expresen  el  tierapo  en  que  una  y  otra 
pidiu  Reduccion ;  los  2:)arajes  en  que  la  tiene  formada  la  Nacion 
de  Mbcobies  ;  y  si  es  verdad  que  actualmente  se  estan  dandolas 
providencias  mas  activas  ])ara  hacerles  a  los  Tobas  su  Reduccion 
a  la  otra  handa  del  Rio  Paraguay  a  la  frente  del  Fuerte  nom- 
brado  de  Paraiy,  habiendose  demorado  corao  dos  6  tres  meses  este 
establecimiento  por  la  gran  seca  que  se  ha  padecido  en  esta 
Provincia  ? 

Preginta  9^ — Item,  digan  si  la  Real  Hacienda  ha  hecho  algun 
costo  para  estas  Reducciones  ;  y  si  es  verdad  que,  aunque  en 
esta  Provincia  hay  rarao  de  guerra,  no  tiene  fondos  para  con- 
tribuir  auxilios  algunos ;  antes  por  el  contrario  se  halla  adeudado 
y  quasi  insolveute:  espresen  de  que  Ramo  se  han  sacado  los 
fomentos:  y  si  como  es  cierto,  se  han  formado  estas  Reducciones 
con  Donativos  y  subsidios  graciosos,  que  han  contribuido  los 
vecinos  a  ruego  de  V.  S.  invirtiendose  estos  cortos  caudales  con 
la  mayor  y  mas  exacta  economia  en  los  fines  de  su  aplicacion  ? 

Pregunta  10^ — Item,  digan  si  la  Reduccion  de  Mbcobies  tiene 
una  buena  estancia  a  la  banda  de  aca  del  Rio  Paraguay: 
espresen  el  numero  de  ganados  que  tiene  :  y  si  es  verdad  que 
manteniendo  estas  haciendas  separadas  de  sus  Reducciones 
(cuyo  arbitrio  se  le  debe  a  V.  S.)  se  logra  en  primer  lugar  el 
que  los  Indios  vivan  dependientes  de  este  Gobierno,  en  el  mode 
y  forma  de  sus  alimentos  para  que  no  hay  an  desperdicios  y.fal- 
tas:  en  segundo  que  se  mantengan  las  estancias  scguras  de  sus 
robos,  aunque  en  algun  tienipo,  por  la  inconstancia  de  estos 
barbaros  hagan  desercion  y  fuga  de  sus  Reduc'ciones  ? 

Pregunta  ll*" — Digan,  si,  mediante  la  tranquilidad  que  hoy 
logra  la  Provincia  por  medio  de  las  Reducciones,  Fuertes  y 
Villas  de  costa  abajo,  que  ocupan  el  Distrito  de  mas  de  sesenta 
leguas  de  terreno,  estan  poblados  cuasi  todos  los  fondos  de  las 


324: 

grandes  campaiias,  donde  antiguamente  tenian  su  cuartel  gene- 
ral los  Indies  barbaros,  eomo  se  ha  reconocido  de  los  vestigios 
que  encontraron  los  primeros  descubridoi'es  y  Pobladores  de  la 
celebre    poblacion    se   Neembucu   erigida    en   el    Gobierno   de 

V.  S.  ? 

Preguxta  12^ — Item,  digan  si  dichas  campanas,  antes  val- 
dias,  y  despobladas  se  hallau  hoy  ocupadas  de  ganados  de  todas 
especies  :  y  si  es  verdad  que  se  cuentan  en  el  dia  corao  treinta 
estancias  de  vecinos  honrados  que  han  pedido  merced  de  aque- 
llas  tierras  ;  y  si  es  verdad  que  se  les  ha  concedido  por  este 
Gobierno  con  la  condicion  de  poblarlas  eon  casas  y  ganados  y 
de  mantenerse  alii  los  mercedarios  para  defensa  de  toda  la  costa 
del  Rio,  que  es  la  f  rontera  de  los  enemigos  ? 

Preguxta  13^ — Item,  digan,  si  segun  la  proporcion  de  las 
mercedes,  con  los  Fuertes  y  Poblaciones  es  quasi  imposible  que 
los  Indios  barbaros  hagan  invasion  sin  escarmiento  ;  por  que 
apei'cibido  el  vecindario  de  toda  la  costa  al  tiro  de  caiion,  que 
mautiene  cada  Presidio,  pueden  congregarse  en  poco  tiempo 
las  tropas  de  su  dotacion  que  constan  del  referido  estado  ? 

Pregunta  14^ — Item,  digan  en  comprobacion  de  la  pregunta 
antecedente,  si  es  cierto  que  cuando  se  erigio  la  Villa  de 
Neembucu,  el  Comandante  Don  Jose  Antonio  Yegros  batio 
una  quadrilla  de  Indios  Barbaros,  que  regresaban  de  hacer  hos- 
tilidades  en  los  Pueblos  de  Misiones  :  y  si  es  verdad  que 
con  haberseles  represado  en  esta  ocasion  porcion  de  ganados 
pertenecientes  al  Pueblo  de  Nuestra  Senora  de  Fe,  a  quien  se 
le  restituyeron  de  orden  de  V.  S, ;  no  han  repetido,  hasta  ahora, 
insulto,  hostilidad  ni  invasiones  en  dichos  Pueblos,  sirviendoles 
a  ellos  de  igual  seguridad  y  asilo,  que  a  esta  Provincia,  las  Vi- 
llas y  Poblaciones  nuevamente  erigidas  ? 

Preguxta  15* — Item,  digan  si  costa  arriba  hay  necesidad  de 
erigirse  alguna  Villa  para  asegurar  mas  esta  frontera  ;  y  si  es 
verdad  no  haberse  verificado  hasta  ahora  su  ereccion  a  falta  de 
auxilios,  por  no  haber  podido  contribuir  el  vecindario  mas  que 
los  cortos  fomentos  con  que  se  ha  atendido  la  necesidad  mas 
urgente  de  costa  abajo? 


325 

pREGUNTA  16* — Item,  digan,  si  con  una  6  dos  Villas  mas  que  se 
formen  al  rumbo  y  derechura  de  la  Villa  de  la  Concepcion,  en 
cuyo  Distrito  hay  riquisimos  minerales  de  verba,  se  puede  fa- 
cilitar  la  apertura  de  'un  camino  recto  por  donde  conducir  este 
fruto  a  Potosi  con  utilidad  incomparable  de  este  Comercio  ? 

Peegunta  IV* — Item,  digan,  si  los  espresados  establecimientos 
de  Villas,  Reducciones,  Fuertes  y  Presidios  son  tan  necesarios 
para  la  defensa  de  la  Provincia,  que  si  no  se  conservan  en  el 
estado  que  hoy  tienen,  es  forzozo  que  la  Provincia  vuelva  a  su 
antigua  decadencia,  por  que  descubierta  la  frontera  tienen  los 
Indios  barbaros  su  entrada  franca  a  este  pais,  donde  se  tiene 
la  experiencia  que  se  despueblan  los  Valles  y  Partidos  con  el 
terror  de  dos  6  mas  insultos  de  los  Infieles  ? 

Pregunta  is* — Item,  digan  si  es  verdad,  que  este  vecindario 
como  pobre  en  lo  general  no  es  capaz  de  mantener  tantos  esta- 
blecimientos sin  los  ausilios  que  concede  el  Rey  en  las  Reales 
cedulas  presentadas,  que  para  este  efecto  se  les  pondran  pre- 
sentes  ? 

Pregunta  1 9* — Item,  digan,  si  es  verdad  que  con  todo  de  man- 
tenerse  este  pais  en  suma  tranquilidad,  extendido  a  unos  ter- 
minos  que  nunca  Uego  con  sus  poblaciones,  todavia  se  halla 
mucha  parte  de  sus  gentes  en  un  estado  miserable  de  pobreza  : 
y  si  es  cierto  que  este  Gobierno  para  evitar  su  despoblacion 
por  medio  de  las  deserciones  y  ausencias  que  antiguamente 
hacian  estos  naturales  a  otras  Provincias,  ha  tornado  la  uti- 
lisima  providencia  de  encargar  en  cada  Partido,  a  los  Jueces 
Comisionados,  que  obliguen  a  cada  cabeza  de  familia  al  cultivo 
de  la  tierra,  para  que  teniendo  como  vivir  de  este  modo,  no 
salgan  de  la  Provincia  y  entiendan  el  medio  natural  de  la  con- 
servacion  del  hombre  ? 

Pregunta  20* — Item,  digan,  si  con  este  motivo  se  halla  la 
Provincia  con  mas  gente  ahora  que  antes,  lograndose  con  estas 
providencias  que  los  naturales  de  esta  Provincia,  viondose  pre- 
cisados  al  trabajo  y  labranza  de  la  tierra,  se  empeiien,  no  solo 


326 

en  los  frutos  precisos  para  la  vida,  sine  tambien  en  el  cultivo 
del  tabaco,  creciendo  este  fruto  para  surtimento  j  utilidad  de 
la  renta  ;  sin  embargo  de  ser  infimo  su  precio:  de  manera  que 
mediante  la  actual  seguridad  de  la  Proviycia  se  ha  logrado  que 
los  Pueblos  de  indios  convertidos  desde  lo  antiguo  en  la  Pro- 
vincia  hayan  podido  pagar  los  grandes  empeiios  que  habian  con- 
trahido  para  fornento  de  sus  fabricas  y  trabajos  en  tiempo  que 
las  invasiones  y  calamidades  del  pais  les  impedian  sus  tareas,  asi 
en  la  labranza  de  los  campos,  como  en  los  montes  de  la  yerba  ; 
y  esto  es,  no  obstante  que  ahora  salen  de  sus  pueblos  para 
fabricar  tabaco  en  San  Lorenzo  todos  los  Indios  que,  pronta  y 
ejecutivamente  se  mandan  venir  a  mitas  por  disposicion  de  este 
gobierno  a  los  tiempos  precisos  que  pide  la  Factoria  ? 

Pregunta  21'' — Item,  digan,  si  todo  lo  dicho  es  publico  y 
notorio,  piiblica  voz  y  f  ama  :  y  si  es  verdad  que  en  el  termino 
de  dos  6  tres  aiios  mas,  llegaran  a  su  (iltima  perfeccion  estos 
nuevos  establecimientos,  siempre  que  se  observen  las  mismas 
reglas  tomadas  para  su  ereccion  ? 

Y  TERMiNA  DiciENDo — En  atcncion  de  todo  lo  dial  se  ha  de  ser 
vir  V.  S.  haber  por  presentados  los  referidos  documentos,  y,  ad 
mitiendo  la  informacion  susodicha,  mandar  que  sobre  los  puntos 
de  este  escrito  y  al  tenor  del  interrogatorio  preinserto  declaren 
treinta  testigos  de  mayor  escepcion  ;  y  fecho,  mandar  que  se 
me  entregue  original,  para  que  con  ella  pueda  instruir  esta 
Ciudad  el  correspondiente  recurso,  como  es  justicia  que  pide  y 
jura,  &c. — Otro  si  dice,  que  se  ha  de  servir  V.  S.  de  mandar  que 
se  pase  oficio  acompaiiado  de  este  escrito  y  documentos  al 
Ilustre  Cabildo  Eclesiastico  y  Comunidades  Religiosas  de  esta 
Ciudad,  para  que  certifiquen  6  informen  cada  Cuerpo  separa- 
damente  sobre  los  mismos  puntos  que  contiene  dicho  interroga- 
torio y  pedimento. 

JUAN  DE  MACHAIN. 

Auto — Por  presentada  con  el  documento  y  testimonio  de 
cedulas  Reales  que  se  espresan  y  adraitiendoee  la  informacion 
que  ofrece   en  lo   principal  el   Sindico    Procurador    General : 


327 

Recibanse  las  declaraciones  de  treinta  testigos  los  mas  idoneos 
de  la  Provincia,  ji  cuyo  efecto  comparezcan  los  Oficiales 
graduados  de  la  carapaila,  como  mas  instruidos  en  los  estable- 
cimientos  de  Villas,  Fuertes  y  Reducciones,  y  en  todos  los  de- 
mas  hecliosque  se  relacionan.  Pasandose  despues  el  eorrespon- 
diente  oficio  al  Cabildo  Ecclesiastico  y  Prelados  Regulares  corao 
se  pide  en  el  Otro  si. 

PEDRO  MELO  DE  PORTUGAL. 

Proveyo  lo  de  suso  el  Seiior  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  de 
esta  Provincia  y  lo  firmo  en  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay  en  doce 
de  Febrero  de  mil  setecientos  ochenta  y  dosaiios,  de  que  doy 
fe. 

MANUEL  BACHICAO, 

Escribano  y  Notario  Publico  de  su 
Majestad  y  de  Gohierno. 

NoTiciA  AL  Procueador  Sindico — En  dicho  dia  di  noticia  al 
Sindico  Procurador  General  de  la  Ciudad  el  Decreto  de  suso  de 
su  persona  ;  de  ello  doy  fe. 

BACHICAO. 


NoTA — Siguen  las  declaraciones  de  los  treinta  testigos,  de 
las  que  se  extractan  tan  solamente  los  certificados  espedidos  por 
los  Prelados  de  las  Comunidades  Religiosas  de  la  Ciudad  y 
por  el  Venerable  Cabildo  Eclesiastico  Gobernador  Episcopal, 
los  que  a  continuacion  se  espresan. 


328 

ANEXO  D. 

N°.  2. 

Certificado  del  Reverendo  Padre  Visitador  General  del  Sagrado 
Convento  de  Nuestra  Senora  de  las  Mercedes  Fr.  Inocencio 
Canete. 

Senor  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General.  Habiendo  visto  los 
puntos  que  contiene  el  interrogatorio  del  Sindico  Procurador 
General  de  esta  Ciiidad,  sobre  que  V.  S.  se  ha  servido  mandar 
por  decreto  de  veinte  y  dos  de  Febrero  de  mil  setecientos 
ochenta  y  dos,  que  se  me  pase  oficio,  para  que  iuforme:  Certifico 
ser  verdad  que  esta  Provincia  tiene  los  Pueblos,  Reducciones, 
Plazas,  Fuertes  y  Fortines  con  los  Ganados,  Vecindario  y  tropa 
que  tielmente  describe  la  Topogratia  Paraguayense  que  presenta 
el  Sindico  Procurador  General  con  la  expresion  que  los  Fuertes 
de  Macaypira,  Ybyoca,  Xundiay,  Lobato,  Naranjay,  Reduccion 
de  Mbocobis  en  Remolinos  con  un  Fuerte  dentro  de  ella,  Her- 
radiira,  el  nuevo  de  Tacuaras,  la  Villa  de  Neembucti  con  su  Fuerte 
de  Taxibo,  son  fundaciones  de  su  Senoria  Don  Pedro  Melo  de 
Portugal,  Coronel  y  actual  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  de 
esta  Provincia;  con  cuyo  antemurales  ha  acortinado  desuertesu 
Senoria  la  citada  Provincia  contra  las  invasiones  de  los  Infieles 
del  Chaco,  que  no  teniendo  estos  respiraderos  hacia  los  Parajes 
y  Bosques  de  nuestra  parte,  donde  antecedentemente  solian 
hospedarse  comodaraente,  sofocados  buscan  la  pazy  Reduccion, 
como  actualmente  se  verifica  con  la  Nacion  de  los  Tohas,  que  su 
Senoria  los  tiene  yd  en  numero  de  seis  6  siete  Caslcazgos  admi- 
tidos  y  semiestablecidos  hacia  la  banda  del  Chaco  f rente  de  Na-- 
ranjay.  En  el  tercer  punto  tengo  bastanteraente  espuesto  y 
anado  que  con  el  proyecto  de  los  citados  Fuertes  y  Establecimi- 
entos  logra  la  Provincia  en  el  actual  Gobierno  una  total  quietud 
de  las  hostilidades  antecedentes  que  cuasi  en  todos  los  pleni- 
lunios  solian  tener  a  las  tropas  de  estas  Provincias  sobre  las 
armas;  y  afmque  es  verdad  que  en  este  tiempo  se  han  experi- 
mentado  algunos  pocos  insultos  de  los  citados  Barbaros;  pero 
perseguidos  estos  y  castigados  de  la  mano  del  actual  Goberna- 


329 

dor  (quien,  parece,  nacio  para  contener  la  Infidelidad  del 
Chaco)  han  cesado  y  a  toda  prisa  estan  solicitando  la  amistad 
nuestra.  En  el  quarto  no  tengo  presente  el  niimero  de  Naciones 
infieles  que  insultan  esta  Provincia,  y  se  han  reconocido  por 
eneraigas  suyas:  pero  se  que  son  muchas  eigualmente  se  que  en 
el  Gobieruo  interino  de  Don  Fulgencio  de  Yegros  hubo  un 
establecimiento  de  Abipones,  cuyo  Cacique  se  llamaba  Degua- 
chique,  hacia  la  handa  del  Chaco  f rente  del  Timbo  6  JErradura^ 
y  estos  abandonaron  sa  Pueblo  y  se  retiraron  hacia  los  senos 
del  Chaco,  de  cuya  retirada  se  vino  a  esta  Capital  el  Sacerdote 
Catequista  que  los  instruia,  que  lo  fue  el  Maestro  D.  Lorenzo 
de  la  Torre :  Creese  que  esta  retirada  fuese  en  tierapo  del 
Seiior  Governador  Don  Carlos  Morfy  :  estos  mismos  Abipones, 
al  cabo  de  algun  tierapo,  volvieron  a  pedir  Reducion,  y  se 
les  admitio  hacia  la  banda  nuestra  en  la  misma  Erradura, 
donde  residieron  sin  Sacerdote,  y  a  poco  tiempo  fueron  asalta- 
dos  de  las  otras  Naciones  bravas  del  Chaco,  de  que  resulto  la 
total  estincion  de  dicha  Reduccion. 

En  el  quinto  :  que  es  verdad  lo  que  contiene  este  punto  en 
toda  su  estension.  En  el  sesto  :  no  rae  ocurre  de  fijo  el  ndmero 
de  asaltos  que  han  hecho  los  enemigos  en  el  termino  de  cuatro 
alios  del  presente  Gobierno  :  pero  si,  que  no  pasan  de  seis,  y  en 
ellos  han  sido  bien  reprehendidos  y  despojados  de  sus  robos, 
debiendose  todo  al  pulso  con  que  el  actual  Gefe  maneja  las 
Armas  de  esta  Provincia.  En  el  septimo:  es  ciertotodo  lo  que 
en  el  se  contiene.  En  el  octavo:  tengo  equivalentemente  certi- 
ficado  en  el  punto  tercero,  aiiadiendo  en  este  que  es  verdad  que 
en  el  dia  se  estan  dando  las  Providencias  mas  activas  para  que 
se  verifique  el  Establecimiento  de  la  Nacion  Toba  en  el  citado 
Parage  Paray  d  la  imrte  del  Chaco.  En  el  nono:  se  (jue  en 
nada  contribuye  el  Ramo  de  Guerra  para  los  citados  establecimi- 
ento!*, y  que  solo  se  han  erigido  a  costa  de  los  Donativos  y 
Subsidies  graciososde  los  Vecinos,  conseguidos  muchos  de  ellos 
a  ruego  de  Su  Sefioria  quien  con  la  mayor  exactitud  los  ha  in- 
vertido  en  los  fines  de  su  aplicacion.  En  el  decirao  :  se  que  la 
Reduccion  de  Mbocohies,  situada  en  los  Remolinos,  hacia  el 
Chaco,  tiene  una  estancia  bien  poblada  de  ganados  hacia 
nuestra  parte:  cuyo  n6mero  (tengo  especie)  asciende  acinco  mil 


330 

cabezas:  y  en  lo  demas  es  cierto  todo  lo  que  contiene  el  citado 
punto  decimo.  En  el  undecirao:  es  verdad  todo  lo  que  se  con- 
tiene en  el.  En  el  duodecimo:  es  igualmente  cierto  que  todo 
el  terreno  que  cita,  esta  poblado  de  estancias,  y  ganados;  y  en 
lo  demas  que  inquiere  de  seguridad  de  dicbas  costas,  tambien  es 
coustante.  En  el  punto  trece  ya  esta  incluido  en  el  punto 
antecedente  lo  que  tengo  que  esponer.  En  el  decimo  quarto: 
es  cierto  todo  lo  que  comprehende  el  punto.  En  el  decimo 
quinto:  comprehendo  con  bien  fundadas  razones  haber  costa 
arriba  necesidad  de  eregir  alguna  o  algunas  villas  mas:  y  que 
su  poblacion  no  se  verifica  por  no  poder  contribuir  ya  los  cortos 
caudules  de  los  vecinos  de  esta  Provineia  a  ella,  por  haberse 
exigido  de  ellos,  para  las  fundaciones  de  costa  abajo  que  mas 
urgian.  En  el  decimosexto:  estoy  en  el  raismo  pensamiento  de 
la  pregunta.  En  el  decimo  septimo:  es  evidente  lo  que  contri- 
buyen  los  citados  establecimientos  de  Villas,  Reducciones  y 
Fuertes  a  la  seguridad  de  esta  Provineia,  y  que  sin  ellos  se  cum- 
plira  la  profecia  del  punto  interrogado.  En  el  decimo  octavo: 
es  verdad  que  este  vecindario  no  puede,  por  su  pobreza, 
conservar  tanta  multitud  de  establecimientos,  sin  los  auxilios 
que  la  Magestad  de  Nuestro  muy  Catolico  Monarca 
concede  en  las  Reales  Cedulas  que  presenta  el  Sindico 
Procurador  General  de  esta  Ciudad.  En  el  decimo  nono : 
que  es  cierto  cuanto  en  el  se  pregunta.  En  el  vigesimo 
tambien  es  verdad  lo  que  en  el  se  pregunta.  En  el 
Vigesimo  prirao  y  Ultimo :  digo  que  todas  los  nuevos  estableci- 
mientos, que  se  ban  hecho  en  el  Gobierno  de  este  Senor,  los  he 
visto,  navegando  por  el  Rio,  a  escepcion  de  la  Reduccion  de 
Remolinos,  y  el  Fuerte  del  Taxibo  de  Neembucu,  que  estan 
desviados  de  la  costa,  y  el  Fuerte  de  Taquaras  que  se  comenzo, 
despues  que  yo  pase.  Lo  substancial  y  principal  de  todo  lo 
demas  que  he  certificado,  es  publico  y  notorio,  de  pCiblica  voz 
y  f  ama.  Y  ultiraamente  expongo  que,  dentro  del  termino  de  dos 
a  tres  afios,  llegaran  a  su  ultima  perfeccion  los  citados  nuevos 
establecimientos,  siempre  que  se  observen  las  mismas  maximas 
tomadas  por  el  presente  Capitan  General  y  que  disfruten  los 
socorros  que  liberalmente  concede  el  Rey  Nuestro  Seiior  en  las 
Reales  Cedulas  que  presenta  el  Procurador  Sindico  General  de 


331 

esta  Provincia.  Es  cuanto  puedo  esponer  en  obseqiiio  del  re^" 
peto  que  debo  al  oficio  de  V.  S.,  y,  para  su  mayor  firmeza,  he 
mandado  a  mi  Pro-Secretario  de  Visit  a  General,  lo  selle  y 
autorice. 

Nuestro     Senor    guarde    a    V,    S.    muchos    aiios.       Asun- 
cion y  Febrero  veinte  y  cuatro  de  mil  setecieutos  ochenta  y  dos. 
Besa  las  manos  de  V.  S.  su  mas  atento  y  afecto  Capellan, 
Fray  Iistocencio  Canete, 
Per  mandado  del  Reverendo  Padre  Visitador  General. 

Fbay  Pedro  Antonio  Guerra, 
Lector  de  Artes,  y  Pro-Sectario  de  Visita-  General, 

Lugar  del  Sello. 

Seiior  Coronel  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  Gobernador  y 
Capitan  General  de  esta  Provincia  del  Paraguay. 


332 

ANEXO  D. 

N^  3. 

Otea  del  Sageado  Convento  De  N.  p.  S.  P^'eancisco,  dada 
POE  el  Guardiax. 

Senor  Goberuador  y  Capitan  General  Don  Pedro  Melo  de 
Portugal. 

Contestando  al  oficio  de  V.  S.  de  quince  de  este  raes,  relativo 
a  varios  puntos  que  contiene  la  representacion  e  interrogatorio 
adyacente  del  Sindico  Procurador  General  de  esta  Ciudad:  Cer- 
tifico  en  toda  forma  de  derecho,  que  sin  embargo  de  no  haber 
visto  todos  los  establecimientos  y  demasque  comprehende  el 
Estado  de  esta  Provincia,  son  tan  notorios  los  adelantamientos 
con  que  se  halla  a  esfuerzos  de  la  conducta  sin  exemplar  de  este 
Gobierno,  que  nadie  ignora,  aun  aquellos  que  no  ban  estado  en 
la  Provincia,  su  miserable  estado  y  las  calamidades  que  la  opri- 
raieron  en  los  Gobiernos  pasados,  no  obstante  que  otros  Gober- 
nadores  tambien  arbitraron  poner  Reducciones  y  Canoas,  que 
corriesen  la  costa  del  Rio  ;  pues  extendiendose  a  mas  de  ochenta 
leguas  el  despoblado  de  la  frontera,  no  era  posible  contener  el 
transito  de  los  Infieles,  ni  zelar  las  operaciones  de  los  reducidos: 
ahora  si,  tienen  estos  proyectos  vinculada  la  seguridad  del  Pais; 
por  que,  habiendose  fundado,  desde  la  Angostura  a  Curu- 
paity  siete  Presidios,  y  una  Poblacion  en  Xeembucfi,  con 
obligacion  de  correr  diariamente  de  Presidio  en  Presidio  las 
Canoas,  que  mantienen  todos  ellos:  no  es  dable,  que  ejecuten 
movimientos,  sin  ser  sentidos,  ni  que  intenten  invasion  sin  es- 
carmiento,  asi  con  las  tropas  de  Guarnicion  de  los  Presidios, 
como  de  los  vecinos  Pobladores  de  mas  de  treinta  Estancias  y 
Puestos,  que  ocupan  con  ganadoa  de  todas  especies  los  campos 
que  antes  eran  baldios,  y  no  solo  a  esta  Provincia,  sino  tambien 
a  las  Misionos  de  los  Ex-Jesuitas  sirven  de  antemiiralcs  los  Vve- 
sidios  establecldos  en  el  presente  Gobierno;  pues,  desde  la  fun- 
dacion  de  ellos  no  se  ha  experimentado  insulto  en  aquellas 
Doctrinns  que  es  prueba  de  estar  defendidas  con  las  fiierzas  de 
esta  Provincia,  siendo  evidente  cuanto  va  floreciendo  con  la  ex- 
tension de  sus  terminos  y  con  el  fomento  de  la  agricultura  me- 
diante  las  providencias  de  este  Gobierno,  que  no  se  tiene  noticia 


333 

haberlas  meditado  otro  de  quien  pudiese  derivarse  este  exem- 
plar al  actual  Sefior  Gobernador,  a  cuyo  zelo  se  debe  la  total 
pacificacion  del  pais,  su  populacion,  el  adelantamiento  de  las 
Doctrinas  antiguas  de  la  Provincia,  los  increraentos  de  la  renta 
en  la  abundancia  de  frutos  que  la  swrten,  j  2)07' nltimo,  que 
tengamos  dos  Rediicciones  de  Mbocobies  y  Tobas  con  una  buena 
estancia  para  la  subsistencia  de  la  primera:  pero  solo  quien 
crio  estos  establecimientos  podra  sostenerlos  a  costa  de  los 
desvelos  y  del  incesante  afan  con  que  vive  congratulando  a  estas 
Gentes,  para  que  contribuyan  los  donativos  con  que  ha  verifica- 
do  Unas  fundaciones  de  tanta  arduidad  como  utilidad;  entendien- 
dose  que  el  Rey  Xuestro  Senor  (que  Dios  guarde)  haga  efectiva 
la  concesion  del  ramo  do  Cruzada  y  de  los  cuatro  mil  pesos  de 
la  Sisa  del  Tucuman  ;  por  que  sin  estos  auxilios  Reales,  faltando 
el  actual  Senor  Gobernador,  sera  consiguiente  la  decadencia  del 
pais  con  mayor  ignomiuia  que  antes  :  de  suerte  que  con  estos 
subsidios  y  algunos  otros  arbitrios  que  se  concedan  a  esta  Ciu- 
dad,  bajo  la  direccion  del  actual  Seiior  Gobernador  se  podra  sos- 
tener  la  Provincia  con  incretnento  del  Estado  floreciente,  que 
hoy  tiene,  y  puede  tambien  abrir  camino  k  Potosi  fundando  una 
6  dos  Colonias  para  escala  de  los  traficautes,  por  cuyo  medio  se 
levantara  el  entredicho  que  han  puesto  los  infieles  a  la  coniuni- 
cacion  antigua  de  esta  Provincia  con  Santa  Cruz  de  la  Sierra  y 
se  verificara  la  apertura  del  camino  para  el  Peru,  muy  fitil  no 
solo  para  internar  a  esta  Provincia  la  yerba,  sino  tambien  para 
conducirse  de  los  Minerales  el  azogue  que  esta  en  inmediaciones 
de  esta  Provincia  ;  y  en  suma  volvera  el  Paraguay  a  lo  que  an- 
tes f ue  en  su  opulencia. 

Asi  lo  siento  y  certifico  ;  y  para  mayor  validacion  doy  esta 
sellada  con  el  Sello  de  este  Convento  de  Nuestra  Seiiora  de 
los  Angeles  de  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay,  y  refrendada  de  uno 
de  los  Reverendos  Padres  Discretos  del  Sobredicho  Convento, 
en  veinte  y  seis  dias  del  mes  de  Febrero  de  mil  setecientos 
ochenta  y  dos  ailos. 

Fray  Juan  de  Aguero, 
Guardian, 
Lugar  del  Sello. 

Fray  Pedro  Antonio  de  Gainza, 

Lector  de  Nona  y  Discreto. 


334 


ANEXO  D. 

N°.  4. 
Otra  del  Sagrado  Convento  de  Predicadores. 

Fray  Cristobal  Ibanez,  Predicador  General,  Caliticador  del 
Santo  Oficio,  Examinador  Sinodal  del  Obiepado  de  Tucuraan  y 
actual  Prior  de  este  Convento  de  Santa  Catalina  Virgen  y 
Martir  del  Paraguay,  Orden  de  Predicadores. 

En  atencion  al  pedimento  y  puntos  que  contiene  el  In- 
terrogatorio,  testimonios  de  las  Reales  Cedulas,  y  estado  en 
que  se  manifiesta  los  Pueblos,  Reducciones,  Plazas,  Fu- 
ertes  y  Fortines  con  los  Ganados,  vecindario  y  tropas  que 
guarnece  esta  Provincia  Paraguayense,  que  ha  presentado 
el  Sindico  Procurador,  General  de  esta  Capital;  y  cote- 
jando  las  noticias  que  en  ano  y  raes,  que  ha  resido  en  este 
Convento  de  Predicadores,  he  adquirido  de  personas  de  la  mayor 
distincion,  asi  ecclesiasticas  comS  seculares,  debo  certificar  y 
certilico  en  cuanto  puedo  :  ser  cierto  y  verdadero  cuanto  rela- 
ciona  el  Sindico  Procurador,  asi  en  su  peticion  e  interrogatorio, 
como  en  el  estado  de  fojas  diez  :  y  que  a  la  actividad,  indus- 
tria,  amor  y  zelo  de  V.  S.  debe  esta  Provincia  la  paz  y  quietud 
que  hoy  goza,  de  la  que  carecia  anteriormente,  por  las  barbaras 
naciones  que  le  hostilizaban  con  robos  de  sus  haciendas  y  muer- 
tes  de  sus  vecinos  ;  pero  mediante  la  infatigable  vigilancia  de 
V.  S.  se  ha  conseguido  atajar  los  pasos  al  enemigo  infiel  por 
donde  raismo  entraba  a  hacer  sus  invasiones  ;  efecto  de  esta 
prevencion  son  los  Fuertes  que  mando  V.  S.  construir  denomi- 
nados  Macaypira,  Ybyoca,  Nundia}^  Lobato,  Naranjay,  Reduc- 
cion  de  Mbocobies  con  un  Fuerte  dentro  de  ella,  Erradura,  el 
nuevo  de  Taquaras,  la  Villa  de  Neembucft,  con  su  Fuerte  de 
Tnxibo  ;  de  suerte  que  no  teniendo  los  Infieles  abrigo  hacia  los 
parajes  y  bosques  de  nuestra  parte  donde  antecedentemente 
comodamente  lo  hacian,  por  las  nuevas  pobladas,  estancias  y 
dichas  Fortalezas  ;  estrechados  por  estos  medios,  buscan  la  paz 
y  roduccion,  coyno  actuahnente  se  verifica  con  la  Nacion  de  los 
Tohas^  cuya  Redaccion  se  esta,  trabajando  d  la  banda  del  Chaco 


335 

frente  de  Naranjay.  Es  constante  tambien  que  este  vecindario 
se  ha  fortalecido  la  costa  abajo,  pero  no  puede  por  su  pobreza 
conservar  tanta  multidud  de  establecimientos  sin  los  auxilios 
que  la  Magestad  de  nuestro  muy  Catolico  Monarca  concede  en 
si;s  Reales  Cedulas  ;  pnes  de  lo  contrario  se  verificara  la  des- 
gracia  que  anuncia  el  decimoseptimo  punto  del  Interrogatorio. 
Es  cuanto  puedo  certificar,  corao  de  publico  y  notorio,  pftblica 
voz  y  fama,  y  de  pedimento  por  oficio  del  Senor  Gobernador  y 
Capitan  General  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  su  fecha  dos 
del  corriente,  doy  la  presente  en  este  sobredicho  convento  de 
Predicadores,  sellada  con  el  sello  de  el,  y  refrendada  de  nuestro 
Notario  en  quatro  dias  del  mes  de  Marzo  de  mil  setecientos 
ochenta  y  dos. 

Fbat  Cristobal  Ibaxez,  Prior, 

(Lugar  del  Sello). 
Por  mandado  del  Reverendo  Padre  Prior  actual, 

Fray  Josef  Pelliza, 

Kotario  de   Convento. 


336 

ANEXO  D. 

N°.  5. 

Otra  del  Venerable  Cabildo  Ecclesiastico  Gobernador  Episco- 
pal. 

Nos  el  Venerable  Cabildo  Gobernador  de  este  Obispado  por  el 

Ilustrisirao  SeiiorDon  Fray  Luis  de  Velazco,  del  Consejo  de  Su 

Majestad,  dignisimo  Obispo  de  esta  Iglesia  de  la  Asuncion  del 

Paraguay. 

En    atencion    al   oficio  que  con    feeha   de  veinte  y  siete  de 

Febrero  anterior,  que  a  instancia  del  Sindico  Procurador 
General  de  esta  Ciudad,  se  sirvio  pasarnos  el  actual  Gobernador 
y  Capitan  General  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  solieitando  que 
expongamos  sobre  los  puntos  delEscripto  que  con  interrogatorio 
presento  a  Su  Senoria  y  se  nos  paso  en  copia  con  otros  rccaudos 
y  Capitulos  de  Reales  Cedulas  relativas  a  beneficio  de  esta 
Provincia,  para  rebatir  las  armas  del  infiel  enemigo,  que  pcr- 
sigue  a  esta  dicha  Provincia,  consignando  para  ello  quatro  mil 
pesos  de  Plata  en  el  ramo  de  Sisas  de  la  Provincia  del  Tucuman, 
y  asi  raismo  aplicando  el  producto  de  la  Santa  Bula  de  Cruzada, 
por  interesarse  en  la  defensa  de  esta  Provincia  la  de  la  Santa  Fe 
catolica  y  sus  progresos:  Por  tanto  certificamos  alRey  Nuestro 
Seiior  en  sus  Reales  Supremos  Consejos,  de  como  quanto  se 
espone  por  el  citado  Procurador  General  en  su  representacion 
sobre  el  estado  general  de  la  Provincia,  es  cii  ito  y  nos  consta  de 
publico  y  notorio,  a  escepcion  de  algunos  pasages  particulares, 
que  por  acaecidos  en  camjjana  no  nos  consta  con  aquella  in- 
dividual espresion,  y  en  su  razon  no  podemos  contestar  a  ellos 
con  aquella  aseveracion  que  corresponde  a  la  fidelidad  propia  de 
nuestro  caracter  y  empleo.  Bajo  de  este  supuesto  para  mayor 
claridad  pasarnos  a  exponcr  sobre  cada  punto  de  los  particulari- 
zados  en  el  presentado  general  estado.  Al  priniero  relativo  al 
numero  de  Pueblos,  Reducciones,  Plazas,  P'uertes  y  Fortines 
existentes  con  ganados,  vecindario  y  tropas  que  refiere,  nos 
consta  mantiene  y  contiene  esta  Provincia  los  Pueblos  de  Indios 
que  refiere  y  numera;  y  a  mas  de  ellos,  por  lo  que  toca  y  con- 


337 

cierne  al  espiritual  Gobierno  eclesiastico;  tambien  se  compre- 
henden  en  sus  terminos  trece  Pueblos  mas  de  Indies  Guaranis, 
los  mismosque  estuvieron  a  cargo  de  los  expatriados  Rogulares 
de  la  extinguida  Compaiiia,  y  son  los  de  Nuestra  Senora  de  Fe, 
San  Ignasio  Guazu,  Santa  Rosa,  Santiago,  San  Cosme,  Iiapua, 
Jesus,  Trinidad,  Corpus,  San  Ignaeio  Mini,  Loreto,  Santa  Ana  y 
Candelaria.  En  la  misma  conformidad  nos  consta  de  la  existencia 
de  las  dos  espresadas  villas,f undadas  de  niucho  tiempo  a  csta  parte, 
que  son  la  Villa  Rica  delEspiritu  Santo,  donde  sehalla  una  Iglesia 
Parroquial  con  su  Cura  y  Teniente,  y  la  otra  de  San  Isidro 
Labrador  con  Cura  y  su  Teniente  en  los  valles  de  Santa  Rosa 
de  Carimbatay.  En  los  Partidos  de  esta  Capital,  a  mas  de  los 
ya  nominados  por  el  Procurador  General,  se  contienen  tambien 
cr.atro  wiratos  colados  de  espanoles,  y  son  :  Capiata  distante 
cinco  leguas  de  esta  Ciudad  :  Xuestra  SeSora  del  Rosario  del 
Partido  de  Pirayfi  distante  de  la  primera  siete  a  ocho  leguas  : 
Kuestro  Senor  de  los  Milagros  de  Piribebuy  Cordillera 
arriba,  quatro  leguas  distante  de  la  segunda :  Nuestra 
Seiiora  del  Rosario  del  PartiJo  de  Carapegua,  distante 
de  Pirayu  ocho  6  nueve  leguas.  Estos  Curatos  mantienen  sus 
Tenientes  en  proporcionadas  distancias  con  sus  respectivas 
ayudas  de  Parroquias,  que  son  las  siguientes  :  Primera,  Nuestra 
Senora  del  Rosario  de  Luque  :  Segunda,  de  San  Josei  del 
Penon  :  Tercera,  San  Lorenzo  del  Campo  Grande  :  Quarta,  San 
Lorenzo  de  la  Frontera  :  Quinta,  Nuestra  Senora  del  Rosario  en 
Itaugua  :  Sexta,  Paraguari  en  una  de  las  Haciendas  que  fueron 
de  los  Ex-Jesuitas  :  Septiraa,  Nuestra  Senora  de  los  Milagros  de 
Caacupe  :  Octava,  San  Roque  del  Partido  de  Barrero  Grande  : 
Nona,  Nuestra  Senora  del  Rosario  de  Carir:  Decima,  Nuestra 
Senora  del  Rosario  de  los  Ajos  :  L^ndecima,  la  de  San 
Lorenzo  en  Quindy  :  Duodecima,  la  de  San  Josef  en  Hicuy: 
Decimatercia,  otra  de  San  Josef  en  Quiquio  :  Decimacuarta, 
Nuestra  Senora  del  Rosario  de  Lambare.  Todas  estas  Parroquias 
se  construyeron  y  se  refaccionan  por  el  vecindario  en  sus  respec- 
tivas feligresias,  por  ser  muy  escasos  los  fondos  que  tienen.  En  la 
misma  conformidad  pasan  los  Curas  y  sus  Tenientes  con  aquella 
renta  que  a  su  costa  les  contribuyen  los  respectivos  feligreses, 
para  su  congrua   sustentacion,  por  ser  de  poco  memento    el 


338 

manual,  teniendo  consideracion  al  ntimero  de  Personas  de  cada 
familia  y  sus  posibilidades,  sin  tener  parte  alguna  en  los  diez- 
mos  dichos  rainistros,  por  refundirse  todo  en  esta  Capital.  Las 
restantes  Villas  son  erigidas  en  estos  tiltimos  tiempos  como  se 
espone  por  dicho  Procurador  General,  y  nos  consta  de  publica 
voz  y  fama  ser  la  mas  abundante  en  frutos  y  ganados,  la  que 
ultiraaraente  se  poblo  por  disposicion  del  actual  Gobernador 
Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  sin  que  haya  llegado  a  nuestra 
noticia  hubiese  inferido  a  ninguno  de  sus  Pobladores  extorsion, 
agravio  ni  violencia  alguna  ;  antes  si  portadose  con  la  mayor 
suavidad  y  prudencia  que  le  ha  dictado  su  discrecion.  De  las 
otras  anteriormente  pobladas  somos  informados  se  hallan  con 
escasez  y  espuestas  a  no  subsistir  ;  pues  aun  los  Capellanes  que 
les  asisten  pasan  pidiendo  los  socorros  en  otros  Partidos,  y  con- 
tribuidoseles  por  algunos  de  los  iudividuos  de  este  Cuerpo 
capitular  en  ocasion  que  nos  ban  manifestado  sus  desdicbas  y 
uecesidades  que  padecen,  no  habiendo  otro  ramo  de  donde  se 
les  pueda  subvenir  en  sus  indigencias.  Por  lo  concerniente  a 
las  Plazas,  Fuertes  y  Fortines,  Ganados  correspondientes, 
vecindario  y  tropa,  que  en  el  se  espresan  :  de  los  primeros  nos 
constau  de  publica  voz  y  fama,  como  se  expone  por  dicho 
Procurador ;  mas  no  nos  consta  del  numero  de  ellos 
por  menor,  y  menos  de  los  ganados,  vecindario  y 
tropa;  con  lo  que  queda  absuelto  lo  comprehensivo  en  el  se- 
gundo  punto.  Al  tercero,  asi  mismo  nos  consta  de  publica  voz 
y  fama  ser  como  se  refiere  en  el,  aunque  por  lo  relativo  a  la 
total  quietud  en  la  Provincia,  estamos  informados  haberse  in- 
ferido algunos  asaltos  en  los  Partidos  por  los  enemigos  infieles 
y  causadose  algunos  perjuicios  en  el  vecindario  y  repelidoseles 
los  mayores  dafios  que  pudieran  ocasionar  mediante  la  vigi- 
lancia  del  Gobernador  y  Gefes  Subalternos;  sin  duda  contem- 
plandose  los  infieles  enemigos  no  tieneu  aquella  franquia  y 
libertad  para  executar  sus  robos  y  muertes,  llevandose  algunos 
cautivos,  se  han  visto  en  precision  de  pedir  Reducciones  y 
apurados  de  las  necesidades  que  sufren  en  sus  tierras.  Al 
cuarto  :  que  lo  que  sabemos  de  las  Naciones  infieles  que  han 
sido  enemigas  de  esta  Provincia,  son  los  Mbocobis  y  Abipones, 
que  en  parte,  en  este  actual  Gobier7io  han  vuelto  d  reducirse  y 


339 

d  pedir  acogida  en  sic  antigua  desam^yarada  Beduccion,  y 
manteniendose  en  quietud  y  sociego,  trabajando  en  su  instruc- 
cion  un  Religiose  Doctrinero,  a  fin  de  arraigar  en  sus  animos  los 
rudimeutos  de  nuestra  Santa  Fe  Catolica  y  bautizadose  algunos. 
La  otra  Nacion  es  la  de  los  Tobas,  que  ha  sido  la  mas 
cosaria.  De  estos  se  nos  ha  eomunicado  por  el  ac- 
tual Gobernador  y  Capitan  General,  pedian  Reduccion, 
y  que  al  j^resetite  se  hallan  ya  situados  en  el  liigar  senalado por 
Su  Senoria,  y  a  este  fin  se  les  han  niandado  herraniientas  y 
algunos  otros  auxilios  para  trabajar  la  poblacion;  y  puestose 
los  medios  para  remitirles  un  Religioso  Doctrinero,  cuya 
execucion  no  tardara.  La  otra  de  los  Mbayas  que  se  mantiene 
bajo  de  paz,  en  cuya  razon  se  contempla  en  sosiego  y  quietud 
la  Provincia  en  la  parte  situada  Costa-arriba,  sin  experimentar 
los  dafios,  y  rigores  de  esta  fuerte  y  numerosa  Nacion,  como 
en  tiempos  pasados  se  sufrian  en  vidas  y  haciendas  y  de  estos 
se  halla  un  corto  numero  en  la  Reduccion  de  Nuestra  Senora  de 
Belem  con  cortisimos  medios  para  su  subsistencia,  por  no  haber 
arbitrios  para  socorrerlos.  La  otra  es  de  los  Lenguas,  nacion 
enemiga,  que  se  mantienen  en  su  antiguo  estado,  pero  sin  ex- 
perimentar aquellas  hostilidades,  que  en  tiempos  pasados 
ejecutaban,  segun  estamos  informados.  Las  otras  naciones 
son  las  de  los  Payaguas  y  Guanas,  que  se  mantien6n  bajo  de  paz, 
sin  inferir  dano  a  la  Provincia,  pero  siempre  viviendo  cau- 
telosamente  con  ellos  por  la  poca  fidelidad  que  se  ha  experi- 
mentado  en  dichos  Payaguas  en  tiempos  anteriores.  Finalmente 
subsiste  la  nacion  infiel,  y  enemiga  de  los  Indios  Caainguas,  en 
la  parte  y  terminos  de  los  Minerales  de  la  Yerba,  distante  de 
esta  Capital  cien  leguas,  poco  mas  6  menos,  y  en  las  inmediacio- 
nes  de  la  Villa  de  Cui-ugnaty.  Estos  hostilizan  a  los  beneficia- 
dores  de  dicha  Yerba,  causandoles  perjuicios  en  sus  vidas  y 
haciendas,  y  a  fin  de  contenerlos  se  han  tomado  las  correspon- 
dientes  providencias  por  el  actual  Gobierno.  Al  quinto  :  no  nos 
consta  otra  cosa  que  los  insultos  que  se  refieren  y  los  quantiosos 
donativos  que  se  contribuyeron  por  el  vecindario  para  su  forma- 
cion  y  otros — Al  sesto  :  ya  tenemos  espuesto  en  lo  antecedente 
en  razon  de  la  vigilancia  y  zelo,  que  se  experimenta  en  el  actual 
Gobierno. — Alseptimo:  tenemos  noticia  de  lo  que  en  este  punto 


340 

se  espresa  por  mayor  ;  mas  no  con  la  individualidad  que  se  re- 
fiere,  y  asi  misnio  de  las  entradas  al  Chaco — Al  octavo  :  ya 
tenemos  espuesto  en  lo  antecedente  sobre  su  contenido. — Al 
nono  :  estamos  informados  de  publica  voz  y  fama  no  haberse 
gravado  a  la  Real  Hacienda  para  el  costeo  de  dichas  Reduccio- 
nes,  a  eseepcion  de  cierta  cantidad  que  se  contvibuvo  de  ella, 
para  socorrer  la  Reduccion  de  los  Mbocobies.  Siendo  constante 
en  esta  Ciudad  por  lo  relacionado  acerca  del  Ramo  de  Guerra. 
Asi  mismo  es  constante  y  notorio  haberse  forraado  dichas  Re- 
ducciones  con  los  donativos  y  socorros  que  liberalmente  ha  con- 
tribundo  el  vecindario  a  pedimento  del  actual  Gober- 
nador,  inviriiondose  todo  on  este  objecto,  sin  divertir 
cosa  alguna  en  otros.  Al  decimo  :  carecemos  de  instruccion 
concerniente  sobre  este  punto  y  solonos  constade  la  desercion  de 
dichos  Infieles  en  tierapo  anterior. — Al  undecimo  :  es  constante, 
cierto  y  veridico  lo  que  en  este  punto  se  contiene, — Al  duodecimo ; 
asi  mismo  saberaos  de  publico  el  establecimiento  de  dichas  pobla- 
ciones  en  virtud  de  Reales  niercedes  conferidas  por  el  actual  Go- 
bierno. — Al  decimo  tercio:  se  deja  ver  con  la  situacion  referida  de 
Fuertes  y  Poblaciones,  ser  fuerte  la  defensa  de  los  Partidos. 
Al  decimo  quarto :  Nos  consta  que  corrio  la  noticia  del  hecho 
en  esta  Ciudad. — Al  decimo  quinto  :  es  indubitable  la  gran 
necesidad  que  hay  de  que  se  form  en  algunas  villas  costa  arriba 
para  la  seguridad  de  aquellas  Poblaciones,  dejandose  ver  y  pal- 
par,  no  haberse  verificado  hasta  el  presente,  a  falta  de  medios, 
no  pudiendo  soportarse  ya  por  el  vecindario  ulteriores  con- 
tribuciones. — Al  decimo  sexto  :  Carecemos  de  instrucciones 
sobre  su  contenido,  pero  la  tenemos  de  la  apertura  del  camino 
recto  para  el  Peru,  que  reportaria  mucha  utilidad,  en  razon  de 
haberse  ya  tratado  en  otras  ocasiones. — Al  decimo  septimo  : 
Se  hace  innegable  su  contenido  por  la  misma  razon  que  esta  dic- 
tando  y  la  experiencia  lo  ha  demostrado  en  el  tienipo  antece- 
dente en  que  no  habian  estas  defensas. — Al  decimo  octavo  : 
Es  constante  y  notoria  la  general  pobreza  de  este  vecindario,  y, 
por  tanto,  sin  que  meta  )a  mano  el  Rey  Nuestro  Senor  para  su 
subsistencia,  llevando  a  ejecucion  lo  mismo  que  su  Piedad  Real 
tiene  concedido  en  sus  Reales  Cedulas  a  favor  de  esta  Provincia, 
las  que  se  legistran  en  testimonio  en  el  cuaderno  que  se  nos  ha 


341 

puesto  presente  :  no  podran  mantenerse  los  referidos  estableci- 
mientos. — Al  decimo  nono  :  Es  notorio  lo  que  Cdnsta  en  este 
punto,  por  lo  relative  al  estado  de  pobreza  en  que  se  hallan  sus 
moradores,  sin  embargo  de  las  ventajas  de  extension  de  terrenos 
y  tranquilidad  que  gozan  ;  pues  la  fatiga  que  se  les  ha  multi- 
plicado  en  el  aumento  de  Fuertes  y  Fortines,  siempre  les  quita 
el  tienapo  para  aplicarse  con  mas  desembarazo  a  atender  a  sus 
labranzas  y  a  otras  ocupaciones  conducentes  a  sus  aprovecha- 
mientos.  Asi  mismo  es  notoria  la  providencia  tomada  por  el 
presente  Gobernador  en  crear  Comisionarios  para  estar  a  la 
mira  y  obligar  a  los  labradores  al  cultivo  de  la  tierra. — Al  vig^- 
simo  :  Estamos  en  inteligencia  que  en  tiempo  presente  se  ex- 
perimenta  mayor  aplicacion  al  trabajo  ;  y  asi  mismo  la  contri- 
bucion  que  hacen  los  Pueblos  con  raitas  de  Indies  para  la 
fabrica  de  tabaco,  que  por  cuenta  del  Rey  se  trabaja  en  San 
Lorenzo,  lo  que  se  ejecuta  con  tadapuntualidad  por  disposicion 
del  actual  Gobierno  segun  la  estacion  de  los  tiempos. — Al  vige- 
simo  primo  :  Que  siempre  que  se  observen  las  reglas,  que 
estan  dadas  para  la  ereccion  de  dichos  nuevos  establecimientos 
y  no  faltandoseles  con  los  auxilios  en  lo  subsequente  necesarios, 
se  conseguiran  las  mayores  ventajas  que  se  puedan  apetecer.  En 
conformidad  de  todo  lo  que  se  lleva  espuesto  sobre  los  puntos 
antecedentes,  mandamosdar  y  damos  la  presente  en  razon  del 
oficio  que  se  nos  paso  por  el  Gobernador  y  Capitan  General  de 
esta  Provincia  Don  Pedro  Melo  de  Portugal,  a  pedimento  del 
Procurador  General  de  esta  Capital,  en  la  Asuncion  a  seis  de 
Marzo  de  mil  setecientos  ochenta  y  dos  ailos. 

Doctor  Aktokio  de  la  Pena, 
Doctor  Pedro  de  Zamudio, 
Por  mandado  del  Venerable  Cabildo  GobernadorEpiscopal. 

Juan  Manuel  Morilla, 
Notario  Publico  y  Secretario  de  Cabildo. 

Anto. — Asuncion  del  Paraguay  Marzo  ocho  de  mil  setecientos 
ochenta  y  dos. 

Estando  conclusa  la  infoimacion  pedida  por  el  Sindico 
Procurador    General   de    esta    Ciudad,   apruebase    en    cuanto 


342 

ha  lugar  de  derecho  y  para  su  mayor  validacion,  interpongo 
mi  antoridad  y  Decreto  Judicial.  Y  los  autos  originales  entre- 
guense  a  dicho  Procurador  General  para  los  efectos  que  espresa 
en  su  representacion.  , 

Melo  de  Portugal, 
Doctor  Canete, 
Proveyo     lo    de    suso    el    Sefior     Gobernador     y     Capitan 
General  de  esta  Provincia  y  lo  firmo  en  la  Asuncion  a  la  fecha 
autecedente;  de  que  doy  fe. 

Manuel  Bachicao, 

Escribano  y  Notario  Publico  de  8u  Magestad  y  de  Gohierno. 

Concuerda  esta  copia  con  los  originales  de  su  contesto,  los 
cuales  en  virtud  del  auto  de  ocho  de  Marzo  entregue  al  Sindico 
Procurador  General  de  Ciudad,  a  los  que  en  lo  necesario  me 
reraito:  esta  cierta  y  verdadera,  corregida  y  enmendada  y  a 
consecuencia  de  Auto  proveido  en  veinte  y  ocho  de  Octubre  hize 
sacar  la  presente,  que  signo  y  firmo  en  la  Asuncion  del  Paraguay 
a  doce  de  Marzo  de  mil  setecientos  ochenta  y  dos  ailos. 
En  testimonio  de  Verdad, 

MANUEL  BACHICAO. 
Escribano  y  Notario  Publico  de  S.  M.  y  de  Gobierno. 


343 

ANEXO  E. 

N°.  1. 

Tratado  de   J^avegacion  y  Limites,  entre  el 
Paraguay  y  la  Repuhlica  Argentina,  1852. 


"  S.  E.  el  Senor  Presidente  de  la  Repiiblica  del  Paragixay, 
D.  Carlos  Antonio  Lopez,  y  S.  E.  el  Senor  Director  Provisorio 
de  la  Confederacion  Argentina,  General  D.  Justo  Jose  de  Ur- 
quiza,  en  el  interes  de  fljar  definitivamente  las  relaciones  entre 
arabos  Estados,  fundadas  en  el  principio  del  interes  reciproco, 
comunidad  de  origen,  y  demas  que  naturalmente  les  unen,han 
resuelto  establecer  en  la  parte  mas  necesaria  los  limites  territoria- 
les,  estableciendo  al  mismo  tiempo  las  bases  sobre  que  debe 
arreglarse  el  comercio  y  navegacion  entre  ambas  Kepublicas, 
y  al  efecto  nombraron  para  sus  Plenipotenciarios,  a  saber  :  S.  E. 
el  Senor  Presidente  de  la  Repftblica  del  Paraguay  a  D.  Benito 
Varela,  Ministro  Secretario  de  Estado,  interino  de  la  Relaciones 
Esteriores  de  la  Repfiblica  ;  y  S.  E.  el  Seiior  Director  Provisorio 
de  la  Confederacion  Argentina  al  Dor.  Don  Santiago  Derqui,  los 
euales  habiendo  cangeado  sus  Plenos  Poderes,  y  hallandolos  en 
buena  y  debida  forma,  acordaron  en  los  siguientes  articulos  : 

Articulo  1°. 

El  Rio  Parana  es  limite  entre  la  Confederacion  Argentina  y 
la  Repfiblica  del  Paraguay,  desde  las  posesiones  brasileras  hasta 
dos  leguas  arriba  de  la  boca  inferior  de  la  isla  del  Atajo. 

Articulo  2°. 

La  isla  de  Yasireta  queda  perteheciendo  al  teritorio  paragua- 
yo,  y  al  argentine  la  de  Apipe.  Las  demas  islas  firmes,  6  ane- 
gables,  pertenecen  al  territorio  a  que  scan  mas  adyacentes. 

Articulo  3°. 

Queda  estipulado,  como  condicion  especial  de  este  Tratado,  la 
comunicacion  franca  entre  las  Villas  de  la  Encarnacion  del   Pa- 


344 

rana  y  San  Borja  del  Uruguay  para  los  correos  paraguayos  y 
brasileros,  con  las  escolta^  necesarias  para  su  resguardo. 

Articulo  4°. 

El  Rio  Paraguay  pertenece  de  costa  a  costa  en  perfecta  sobe- 
rania  a  la  Republica  del  Paraguay,  hasta  su  confluencia  en  el  Pa- 
rana. 

Articulo  5°. 

La  navegacion  del  Rio  Bermejo  es  perfectaraente  coraun  a 
arabos  estados. 

Articulo  6**. 

La  orilla  terrestre  desde  la  desembocadura  del  Bermejo  hasta 
el  Rio  del  Atajo,  es  territorio  neutral,  en  la  latitud  de  una  legua, 
de  conformidad  que  las  Altas  Partes  Contratantes  no  podran 
hacer  alli  acantonamientos  militares,  ni  guardias  policiales,  ni 
aun  con  el  intento  de  observar  a  los  barbaros  que  habitan  esa 
costa. 

Articulo  7°. 

La  Confederacion  concede  a  la  Reptiblica  la  libre  navegacion 
de  su  pabellon  por  el  Rio  Parana  y  sus  afluentes,  otorgandole 
todas  aquellas  franquicias  y  ventajas  que  los  Gobiernos  civiliza- 
dos,  unidos  por  tratados  especiales  de  comercio,  se  conceden 
unos  a  otros  :  no  detendra  ni  impedira,  ni  impondra  derecho 
sobre  el  curso  de  ninguna  espedicion  mercantil,  que  tuviese  por 
objeto  pasar  por  el  territorio  fluvial  6  terrestre  de  la  Confede- 
racion a  puertos  paraguayos,  6  de  estos  a  cualesquiera  otros  es- 
trangeros,  sin  sujetarlos  a  fiscalizaciones,  gavelas,  rebuscas, 
desataraiento  de  bultos,  &c.,  &c. ;  que  a  la  vez  que  incomodan  al 
comercio.  It)  aniquilan,  alarraandolo  y  ahuyentandolo  de  frecuen- 
-tar  las  vias  mas  productivas. 

Articulo    8". 

En  los  mismos  terminos  del  articulo  anterior,  la  Repdblica 
concede  al  pabellon  argentine  la  libre  navegacion  del  Paraguay 
y  sus  afluentes,  y  el  transito  libre  por  su  territorio  terrestre. 


346 

Articulo  9°. 

Queda  bien  entendido  que  arabos  Estados  estan  en  su  derecho 
para  dictar  los  reglamentos  que  creyeren  conveuir  para  evitar 
en  los  transitos  el  contrabando,  proveera  su  seguridad,  &c.,  con 
entera  reserva  del  uso  legitimo  de  su  perfecta  Soberania  en  su 
territorio  fluvial,  que  no  este  limitado  por  el  derecho  universal 
6  tratados  expresos. 

Articulo    10". 

La  Confederacion  dara  libre  transito  por  el  Parana  a  otros 
pabellones  estrangeros,  tan  luego  como  haya  hecho  los  arreglos 
que  el  demanda. 

Articulo  11°. 

El  Gobierno  de  la  Repfiblica  del  Paraguay,  de  acuerdo  con 
el  de  la  Confederacion  Argentina,  cooperara  con  los  medios  que 
le  proporciona  la  situacion  topografica  de  la  Reptiblica,  a  faci- 
litar  la  navegacion  del  Rio  Bermejo,  destruyendo  los  obstaculos 
que  se  hubiesen  creado  en  su  canal,  baciendo  algunas  obras  que 
fuesen  practicables  para  mejorarlo,  y  estableciendo  posiciones 
que  sirvan  de  puntos  de  arribada  a  las  erabarcaciones,  en  los 
lugares,  y  parages  que  acordaren,  y  seilalaren  ambos  Gobiernos. 

Articulo  12°. 

El  Gobierno  de  la  Repfiblica  del  Paraguay,  cuando  llegare 
el  caso  de  ser  invitado  por  el  de  la  Confederacion  Argentina, 
habilitara  con  previo  acuerdo  y  guarnecera  un  puerto  en  el  rio 
Pilcomayo,  a  la  mayor  altura  que  sea  navegable,  de  manera  que 
desde  elpueda  darse  al  coraercio  una  via  terrestre  por  teniiorio 
paraguayo,  la  mas  corta  posible,  hasta  la  frontera  de  Bolivia. 

Articulo  13°. 

Los  Paraguayos  residentes,  6  transeuntes  en  la  Confedera- 
cion, y  los  Argentinos,  residentes  6  transeuntes  en  la  Republica, 
gozaran  personalmente  de  las  ventajas  y  regalias  que  tengan  los 
misraos  ciudadanos,  respetandoseles  sus  derechos  individuales, 
quedando  tan  solo  sujetos  a  las  leyes  civiles  que  imperen,  y  al 
modo  de  proceder  que  ellas  demarquen. 


346 

Articulo  14". 

En  razon  de  la  hermandad  que  establecen  entre  ambas  Re- 
pliblicas  la  comunidad  de  origen,  intereses  y  situacion  respec- 
tiva,  los  ciudadanos  Paraguayos,  que  su  Gobierno  quiera 
destinar  a  cultivar  sus  talentos  en  los  establecimientos  de  facul- 
tades  y  estudios  may  ores  que  sostuviere  el  Gobierno  General  de 
la  Conf  ederacion  Argentina,  seran  eonsiderados  a  la  par  de  los 
ciudadanos  Argentinos. 

Articulo  15°. 

El  presente  tratado  sera  ratificado  por  S.  E.  el  Sor.  Presidente 
de  la  Kepublica  del  Paraguay  a  los  seis  dias  de  su  fecha;  y  a  los 
sesenta  por  S.  E.  el  Seiior  Director  Provisorio  de  la  Confedera- 
cion  Argentina,  debiendo  ser  cangeadas  las  ratificaciones  en  la 
Ciudad  de  Corrientes. 

En  testimonio  de  lo  cual,  los  infrascritos  Plenipotenciarios 
firman  por  duplicado  el  presente  Tratado,  sellandolo  con  sus 
armas  y  refrendando  con  sus  respectivos  Secretarios,  en  la  Asun- 
cion, Capital  de  la  Repiiblica  del  Paraguay  a  los  quince  dias 
del  mes  de  Julio  de  mil  ochocientos  cincuenta  y  dos. 

[l.  s.]  BENITO  VARELA, 

MARIANO  GONZALES, 

Secretario. 

[l.  s.]  SANTIAGO  DERQUI, 

MANUEL  CABRAL, 

Secretario. 


347 
ACTA  DE  CANGE. 

Ministerio  de  Relaciones  Esteriores. 

Nos,  Don  Benito  Varela,  Ministro  Secretario  de  Estado  in- 
terino  de  las  Relaciones  ExterionesdelaRepfiblicadel  Paraguay, 
y  Doctor  Don  Santiago  Derqui,  Encargado  de  Negocios  de  la 
Confederacion  Argentina,  en  mision  especial  cerca  del  Gobierno 
de  la  Republica,  en  uso  de  la  Plenipotencia  que  nos  fue  conferida 
para  ajustar  el  Tratado  del  15  de  Julio  del  presente  aiio,  y 
autorizados  por  nuestros  Gobiernos  para  proceder  al  cange  de 
sus  ratificaciones,  que  por  acuerdo  posterior  debe  efectuarse  en 
esta  Capital,  hemos  examinado  las  ratificaciones  hechas  por  el 
Exmo.  Seiior  Pi-esidente  de  la  Reptiblica  Don  Cai-los  Antonio 
Lopez,  el  19  del  mismo  Julio,  y  por  el  Exmo.  Seiior  Brigadier 
General  D.  Justo  Jose  de  Urquiza,  Director  Provisorio  de  la 
Confederacion  Argentina,  el  20  de  Agosto  ultimo;  yencontrando 
exactamente  igual  en  uno  y  otro  el  texto  del  espresado  tratado 
y  sus  respectivas  ratificaciones  en  buena  forma,  segun  uso,  y 
derecho  internacional,  hemos  verificado  su  cange  ;  y  en  fe  de 
ello  firmamos  la  presente  acta  en  dos  ejemplares  de  un  tenor, 
que  hacemos  sellar  con  nuestras  armas,  y  refrendar  j^or 
nuestros  respectivos  Secretaries,  en  esta  Ciudad  de  la  Asuncion 
a  catorce  dias  del  mes  se  Setiembre  de  mil  ocho  cientos 
cincuenta  y  dos. 

[l.  s.]  BENITO  VARELA, 

MARIANO  GONZALES, 

Secretario. 

[l.  s.]  SANTIAGO  DERQUI, 

MANUEL  CABRAL, 


Es  copia  fiel   del  original, 

T.    RlQUELME, 

qficicd  1» 


Secretario. 


348 

ANEXO  E. 

N°.  2. 

Carta  del  Fresidente  del  Paraguay  al  de 
igual  Clase  de  la  Confederacion  Argentina  y 
su  Contestacion. 

ExMO.  SoR.  Director  Provisorio  de  la  Confederacion  Ar- 
gentina, General  D.  Justo  Jose  de  Urquiza. 

Asuncion  del  Paraguay,  ] 
Julio  28  de  1852.       f 
De  ini  particular  estimacion: 

Como   anuncie  k   V.  E.  en   mi  anterior  del   12  del  corriente 
tuvo  Ingar   el    IV    el    acto  solemne  del   reconocimiento   de  la 
Republica  del  Paraguay  por  la  Confederacion  Argentina:  este, 
importante  acto  fue  eelebrado  con  entusiasmo  en  esta  Ciudad, 
y  en  toda  la  campana. 

Tengo  el  placer  de  felicitar  a  V.  E.  y  en  su  ilustre  persona  a 
la  Confederacion  Argentina,  por  el  fausto  suceso  del  restable- 
cimiento  de  las  buenas  relaciones  de  dos  Repfiblicas  hermanas, 
llamadas  por  la  naturaleza  y  por  la  comunidad  de  origen  a  cul- 
tivar  Bu  mutuo  engrandecimiento. 

El  15  fue  concluidoy  firmado  por  los  Plenipotenciarios  de  ese 
y  este  Gobierno,  un  tratado  de  navegacion  y  limites  entre  la  Re- 
pfiblica  y  la  Confederacion,  el  cual  queda  ratificado  por  este 
Gobierno  con  data  del  19,  como  V.  E.  sera  informado  por  el 
organo  competente. 

Me  tomo  la  libertad  de  recomendar  muy  especialmente  a  la 
consideracion  de  V.  E.,  la  conducta  amistosa,  las  maneras  agra- 
dables,  el  patriotismo  y  el  noble  desempeno  del  Seiior  Encargado 
de  Negocios  de  la  Confederacion  Argentina,  Dr.  Don  Santiago 
Derqui;  mediante  estaacertadaeleccion  de  V.  E.,  se  han  llenado 
felizmente  los  objetos  de  su  importante  mision  cerca  de  este 
Gobierno. 

Quiera  V.  E.  darme  ocasiones  de  acreditar  el  fino  afecto  y 
leal  amistad  con  que  me  repito 

de  V.  E.  atento  servidor, 
ClRLOS  ANTONIO  LOPEZ." 


349 

"  Al  Exmo.  Seiior  Presidente  de  la  Repfiblica  del  Paraguay, 
D.  Carlos  Antonio  Lopez. 

Buenos  Aires,  Agosto  20  de  1852, 

Mi  estimado  Senor  y  amigo  : 

He  recibido  con  agradaHe  satlsfaccion  la  carta  confidencial 
de  V.  E.  fecha  28  del  j^roximo  pasado,  en  la  que  me  participa 
quedar  concluido  y  firmado  por  los  Plenipotenciarios,  Argen- 
tine y  Paraguayo,  un  tratado  de  navegacion  y  limites  entre 
ambas  Republicas,  habiendo  sido  ratificado  por  ese  Gobierno  en 
fecha  19  del  proximo  pasado. 

El  Gobierno  Argentine  despues  de  haber  considerado  con* 
reflexivo  examen  ese  tratado,  lo  ha  encontrado  tan  justo  y  con- 
veniente  a  los  intereses  reciprocos  de  ambas  Republicas,  que 
tambien  se  ha  apresurado  a  ratilicarlo  por  su  parte,  quedando 
de  ese  modo  sanciouada  la  convencion  celebrada. 

Inutil  considero  el  enumerar  las  inmensas  ventajas  que  am' 
bos  paises  reportan  de  ese  tratado.  Llamadas  por  la  naturaleza 
y  por  uu  cumulo  de  circunstancias  a  llenar  un  destino  impor- 
tantisimo  entre  las  Republicas  American  as,  esprecisopropender 
a  la  union  natural  que  debe  existir  entre  ellas,  a  lo  que  tiende 
indudablemente  el  tratado  celebrado. 

La  recomendacion  especial  que  V.  E.  hace  de  la  conducta  ob- 
servada  por  el  Encargado  de  Negocios  de  la  Confederacion  Ar- 
gentina, es  bien  merecida.  El  Gobierno  Argentino  no  solo  la 
ha  aprobado  en  todos  sentidos,  sino  que  aplaude  el  exito  feliz 
que  fundadamente  se  esperaba  de  las  distinguidas  luces  y  pa- 
triotism o  que  adornan  al  Seiior  Dr.  Don  Santiago  Derqui. 

Las  felicitaciones  amistosas  que  V.  E.  dirije  a  mi  y  a  toda  la 
Confederacion  Argentina  por  el  restablecimiento  de  las  buenas 
relaciones  entre  ambas  Republicas,  las  acepto  con  la  mas  viva 
complaceucia.  Por  mi  parte  tambien  felicito  a  V.  E.  y  en  su 
nombre  a  toda  la  Repliblica  que  preside,  pues  es  bien  plausible 
el  ver  ligadas  con  vinculos  de  amistad  a  dos  Reptiblicas  tan 
poderosas  y  de  tan  ilustres  antecedentes. 

Aprovecho  con  placer  esta  oportunidad  para  ofrecer  a  V.  E, 
mi  mas  distinguida  consideracion  y  afecto. 

JUSTO  J.  DE  URQUIZA. 


350 

ANEXO  E. 

K°.  3. 

Kota  del  Ministro  Argentino  sohre  el  Tratado 

de  1862. 

"  Viva  la  Confederacion  Argentina  !  " 

MiNlSTERIO    DE    ReLACIONES    EsTERIORES    DE    LA    CoX-  \ 

FEDERACION  ARGENTINA,  BuENOS    AlKES,  AgOStO  20  de   1852.    f 

Al  Exmo.  Seiior  Ministro  Secretario  de  Estado  interino  de  las 
lElelaciones  Esteriores  de  la  Repliblica  del  Paraguay  : 

El  infrascrito,  Ministro  de  Relaciones  Esteriores  de  la  Con- 
federacion  Argentina,  ha  tenido  el  honor  de  recibir  la  nota  de 
V.  E.  fecha  22  de  Julio,  en  la  que  V.  E.  acusarecibo  de  la  que  sele 
dirijio  .el  24  de  Abril,  proximo  pasado,  coraunicandole  el  envio 
del  Encargado  de  Negocios  de  la  Confederacion  Argentina, 
cerca  de  ese  Gobierno,  y  en  la  que  participa  haberse  concluido  y 
ratificado  por  ese  Gobierno  un  tratado  se  navegacion  y  de  limi- 
tes  entre  arabas  Republicas. 

El  Exmo.  Sefior  Director  Provisorio  se  ha  impuesto  de  su  con- 
tenido,  y  en  carta  confidencial  ha  espresado  al  Exmo.  Presidente 
del  Paraguay  cuales  son  sus  sentimientos  a  este  respecto.  Con- 
sidera  que  el  Tratado  celebrado  es  de  grande  importancia  para 
ambos  paises  y  lo  ha  ratificado  a  nombre  de  la  Confederacion 
Argentina. 

El  reconocimiento  de  la  Independencia  de  la  Republica  del 
Paraguay,  es  un  hecho  de  tanta  trascendencia,  que  ocupara  un 
lugar  distinguido  en  la  historia  contemporanea  de  estas  Repu- 
blicas. Era  exigido  imperiosamente  por  la[naturaleza  misma  de 
las  circunstancias,  y  el  Gobierno  Argentino,  al  sancionarle,  no 
ha  hecho  sino  reconocer  un  hecho  consumado. 

El  tratado,  pues,  que  reglamenta  los  derechos  de  ambas  Re- 
publicas es  de  la  mayor  importancia  considerado  bajo  todos  sus 
aspectos.  Fortifica  los  lazos  que  ligan  a  ambos  Gobiernos,  y 
esto  da  ventajas  inmensasa  los  intereses  mercautiles  e  industria- 
les,  que  son  la  base  de  la  felicidad  futura  de  estos  paises. 


351 

Ese  paso  dado  por  el  Gobierno  Argentine  tiene  simpatias  en 
toda  la  Confederaeion  pues  no  ven  en  el  reconocimiento  de  la 
Independencia  del  Paraguay  sino  la  sancion  de  un  liecho  con- 
sumado. 

El  Exmo.  Seiior  Director  Provisorio  de  la  Confederaeion  Ar- 
gentina, deseando  que  quede  concluida  definitivamente  esa  nego- 
ciacion,  ha  ordenado  se  devuelva  el  tratado  original  alSenorEn- 
cargado  de  Negocios  de  la  Confederaeion  Argentina,  para  que 
tenga  lugar  el  cange  de  la  ratiticacion. 

El  infrascrito  aprovecha  con  placer  esta  oportunidad  para 
presentar  al  Seiior  Ministro  los  sentimientos  de  su  mas  alta  con- 
sideracion. 

LUIS  J.  DE  LA  PENA. 


352 

ANEXOE. 

N°.  4. 

Nota  del  Negociador  Argentine  y  la  Contestacion. 
"   Viva  la  Coufederacion  Argentina  ! 

EI  Encargado  de  Negocios  de  la  Confe- 
deraciou  Argentina  en  mision  especial 
cerca  del  Gobierno  de  la  Republica  del 
Paraguay. 

Asuncion,  Julio  25  de  1852. 

Al  Exmo.  Senor  Ministro  de  Relaciones  Esteriores  del  Gobier- 
no Provisorio  de  la  Confederacion  Argentina. 

Tengo  el  honor  de  adjuntar  el  Tratado  de  limites  y  nave- 
gacion  que  he  firmado  con  el  Plenipotenciario  de  este  Gobierno 
el  15  del  corriente,  segun  lo  anuncie  a  V.  E.  en  mi  nota  del  12 
del  mismo. 

Por  el  aviso  oficial  de  este  Gobierno  se  instruira  V.  E.  de  la 
ratificacion  del  mismo  Tratado  por  el  Exmo.  Seiior  Presidente  de 
la  Kepublica. 

En  el  creo  haberllenado  plenamente  los  objetos  determinados 
en  mis  instrucciones,  y  aun  haber  abundado  en  cuanto  al  rauy 
especial  de  promover  el  comercio  por  nuestros  rios  interiores, 
facilitando  por  ellos  cuanto  es  posible  la  afluenoia  del  de  la  Re- 
piiblica  de  Bolivia. 

El  unico  punto  estraiio  a  dichas  instrucciones  es  la  neutra- 
lidad  del  territorio  en  la  costa  del  Chaco,  establecida  por  el 
articulo  0"  :  ella  fuc  exigida  por  el  Gobierno  Paraguay o  como 
necesaria  a  la  seguridad  exterior  de  la  Repul)lica,  con  el  objeto 
espreso  de  evitar  en  el  acantonamientos  militares  que  tendrian 
en  constante  amenaza  su  territorio,  atendida  la  estrechez  del 
Rio  en  aquel  punto.  Por  otra  parte,  ese  pedazo  de  costa 
neutralizado  no  tiene  destine  alguno  {itil,  por  ser  un  canado  in- 
accessible en  tiempo  de  crecientes,  las  que  la  inundan  en  mayor 


353 

estension  que  lo  neutralizado.  Y  como  esta  concesion  en  nada 
obstaba  la  libertad  de  la  navegacion  consignada  en  el  articulo  8°, 
he  creido  no  deber  negar  al  Gobierno  de  la  Republica,  una 
seguridad  que  en  nada  daua  los  intereses  *de  la  Confederacion, 
cuando  en  cambio  este  misrao  Gobierno  se  prestaba  sin  reserva 
a  estipular  lo  coutenido  en  los  articulos  11  y  12,  de  tan  grave 
importancia  para  el  Gobierno  Argentino.  Era  dificil  conocer 
la  adyacencia  de  la  isla  del  Atajo,  por  su  situacion  equidistante 
de  ambas  costas,  y  me  preste  al  espediente  de  devidirla  por 
mitad  entre  uno  y  otro  Estado  ;  y  es  por  esta  razon  que  el  Rio 
Parana  sirve  de  limites  entre  ellas,  hasta  dos  leguas  mas  arriba 
de  su  boca  inferior,  por  donde  se  ha  considerado  dividirse  en 
dos  partes  aproximadaniente  iguales.  Esta  isla  se  inunda  por 
las  grandes  crecientes,  por  cuya  razon  es  inhabitada,  y  no  tiene 
otro  destino  util  que  el  de  estraer  maderas  de  ella,  cuando  lo 
permite  el  estado  de  los  rios. 

Las  isla  de  Apipe  y  Yacireta  son  considerablemente  adya- 
centes  a  los  territorios  a  que  quedan  perteneciendo,  y  las  unicas 
notables  del  Rio  Parana,  en  la  estension  en  que  sirven  de 
limites. 

De  todo  lo  que  instruyo  {i  V.  E.  a  fin  de  que  se  digne 
elevarlo,  con  el  Tratado  de  su  referenda,  al  conocimiento  del 
Exmo.   Sr.  Director  Provisorio  de  la  Confederacion. 

Dios  guarde  a  V.  E.  muchos  aiios, 

SANTIAGO  DERQFI." 


354 


ANEXO  E. 

N°.  5. 
« VIVA  LA  CONFEDERACION  ARGENTINA  ! 

MiNISTERIO  DE  ReLACIONES  EsTERIORES 

DE  LA  CONFEDERACIOJ^    ARGENTINA, 

Buenos  Aires,  Agosto  20  de  1852. 

Al  Seiior  Encagado  de  Negocios  de  la  Confederacion  Argen- 
tina, cerca  del  Gobierno  de  la  Repliblica  del  Paraguay. 

El  infrascrito  ha  tenido  el  honor  de  recibir  la  nota  de  V.  S. 
fecha  26  de  Julio,  eon  la  que  adjunta  el  tratado  de  limites  y 
navegacion  que  firmo  con  el  Plenipotenciario  de  ese  Gobierno 
en  fecha  15  del  proximo  pasado,  anunciando  al  mismo  tiempo 
haber  sido  ratificado  por  el  Exmo.  Sr.  Presidente  de  la  Repu- 
blica  del  Paraguay. 

El  Gobierno  Argentino  se  ha  impuesto  con  detencion  de  ese 
tratado  y  corisiderdndolo  conveniente  d  los  mtereses  de  ambas 
Republicas,  le  ha  j^uesto  el  sello  de  su  aprobacion  ratificandolo, 
ofreciendo  fiel  y  exacto  cumplimiento  por  lo  que  a  el  respecta, 
y  devolviendosele  a  V.  S.  para  que  haga  el  cange  de  las  ratifica- 
ciones. 

La  conducts  observada  por  V.  S.  en  el  desempeno  de  su 
elevada  mision,  ha  merecido  la  aprobacion  del  Exmo.  Sr.  Direc- 
tor Provisorio,  de  quien  he  recibido  especial  encargo  para 
cumplimentarlo.  El  Gobierno  Argentino  reconoce  que  los 
servicios  prestados  por  V.  S.  son  de  gran  importancia,  y  se 
complace  vivamente  de  que  se  hayan  realizado  las  esperanzas 
que  concibio  al  confiar  al  talento  y  patriotismo  de  V.  S.  tan 
importante  mision. 

El  infrascrito,  por  su  parte,  no  quiere  perder  esta  oportunidad 
sin  felicitar  al  Sr.  Encargado  de  Negocios  por  el  feliz  resultado 
de  su  mision,  ofreciendole  bu  mas  alta  y  distinguida  considera- 
cion. 

LUIS  JOSlg  DE  LA  PENA. 


355 


ANEXO  F. 

Decreto   de   1855  fundando  la    Villa   Occi- 
dental en  el  Ckaco. 

Decreto  que  establece  una  Coloiiia  francesa  en  el  gran  potrero 
del  Chaco,  sobre  la  derecha  del  Kio  Paraguay,  a  seisleguas  arriba 
de  la  Capital  :  que  regla  la  administracion  de  la  Colonia,  y  fija 
las  condiciones  y  precios  con  que  los  nacionales  y  estrangeros 
que  quieran  establecerse  en  este  punto,  puedan  adquirir  tierras 
de  labor  : 

El  Presklente  de  la  Republica  : 

Deseando  el  Supremo  Gobierno  de  la  Republica  promover  y 
fomentar  la  introduceion  de  emigrados  y  colonos  agricultores, 
con  el  objeto  de  acelerar  el  aumento  de  la  poblacion,  inejorar 
su  agricultura  que  es  su  especialidad  y  niultiplicar  los  ricos  pro- 
ductos  que  ofrecen  su  clima  y  su  suelo,  ha  hecho  contratar,  en 
el  Mediodia  de  la  Francia,  un  cierto  numei'o  de  colonos,  of  recieu- 
doles  condiciones  ventajosas. 

Una  parte  de  los  colonos  ha  llegado  ya,  y  sucesivamente 
deben  venir  los  demas  ;  y  siendo  necesario  establecer  la  Colonia 
en  un  lugar  que  per  su  situacion,  cominunicacion  facil,  salubri- 
dad  y  feracidad  del  suelo,  ofrezca  ventajas  a  los  colonos  espen- 
sados  por  el  Gobierno,  y  al  mismo  tiempo  atraiga  otros  pobla- 
dores  nacionales  o  estrangeros  que  quieran  establecerse  en  este 
punto. 


HA    ACORDADO  Y  DECRETA. 

Articulo  1" — El  punto  en  el  Gran  Chaco  conocido  por  el 
lugar  de  la  antigua  Reduccion  del  Paraguayo  Don  Amancio  Gon- 
zales Escobar,  clerigo  Presbitero,  se  destiua  al  establecimiento 
de  la  primera  colonia  estrangera  en  el  Paraguay. 


356 

Articulo  2° — La  Colonia  llevara  el  norabre  de  "  Nueva  Bur- 
deos  "  en  memoria  de  que  la  Colonia  f rancesa  ha  sido  contra- 
tada  a  marchar  del  puerto  de  aquella  ciudad  para  la  Repfiblica 
del  Paraguay. 

Articulo  3" — La  iglesia  parroquial  de  la  "  Nueva  Burdeos  " 
llevara  la  advocacion  de  San  Francisco  Solano. 

Articulo  4° — Los  emigrados  que  el  Gobierno  ha  contratado 
en  Europa,  se  estableceran  en  el  punto  designado  en  el  anterior 
articulo  1°,  y  recibinin  en  toda  propiedad,  llenadas  que  sean  las 
condiciones  que  adelante  se  espresaran,  una  determinada  por- 
cion  de  tierras  por  cada  persona  apta  a  las  labores. 

Articulo  5° — Cada  colono  tendra  habitacion  y  sera  alimen- 
tado  por  el  espacio  de  un  alio,  prorogandose  a  este  termino  el 
de  ocho  meses  de  su  contrata  celebrada  en  Europa. 

Articulo  6" — Recibira  tambien  cada  colono  a  su  cargo  y 
cuenta  las  bestias  que  necesite  para  labrar  la  tierra  y  las  que  les 
sirvan  para  alimentarse  con  su  producto,  como  bueyes,  vacas, 
ovejas,  cerdos,  aves  y  seniillas  para  sus  siembi-as. 

Articulo  7° — El  Gobierno  proveera  a  los  colonos,  tambien 
por  su  cuenta,  las  herramientas  que  pidan,  como  hachas,  azadas, 
azuelas,  palas,  &c. 

Articulo  8° — La  Colonia  es  principalmente  agricola  :  cada 
colono  hara  de  la  labor  de  las  tierras  su  primera  ocupacion  : 
podra  serabrar,  recoger  sus  productos,  y  disponer  de  ellos  sin 
gravamen,  con  la  mas  completa  libertad,  sin  liraitacion,  ni  mas 
obligacion  que  la  de  dar  previa  noticia  y  conocimieuto  de  lo  que 
venda  6  esporte  de  la  Colonia  al  encargado  de  la  contabilidad, 
quien  dara  una  papeleta  con  el  solo  objeto  de  hacer  constar  que 
el  portador  ha  cumplido  con  la  prevencion  de  dar  aviso. 

Articulo  9° — Del  raismo  modo  pod  ran  ejercer  su  industria 
los  obreros  mecanicos,  como  carruageros,  carpinteros,  zapateros, 
herreros  que  se  establezcan  en  la  Colonia. 


357 

Aeticulo  lO** — Desde  el  tcrcei*  auo  de  su  establecimiento  cada 
colono  destinara  la  cuarta  parte  del  producto  vendible  de  su 
cosecha,  como  algodon,  raiel,  anil,  cochinilla,  tabaco,  al  pago 
de  su  pasage  desde  Europa  a  la  Republica,  y  del  pi*ecio  de  lo' 
que  hubiese  recibido  en  conformidad  a  los  precedentes  ar- 
ticulos  5°  y  6°.  . 

Akticulo  1 1° — Durante  diez  aiios  contados  desde  el  estable- 
cimiento de  la  Colonia,  el  producto  de  sus  labores  agricolas  sera 
libre  de  todo  impuesto,  contribucion  6  gravamen.  Los  colonos 
seran  exentos  de  todo  servicio  militar,  y  solo  han'in  como  el  de 
guardias  nacionales,  si  la  seguridad  de  la  iiiisma  colonia  alguna 
vez  lo  exigiere.  Pasado  el  tiempo  referido  de  diez  afios,  los 
colonos  pagaran  los  impuestos  ii  que  esten  sujetos  los  labradores 
y  pastores  nacionales. 

Articulo  12° — A  cada  colono  de  diez  y  seis  anos,  se  asignan 
cuatro  cuerdas  cuadradas,  medida  del  pais,  para  chacra  6 
campo  de  labranza.  La  espresada  estension  de  tierra  se  podra 
auraentar  al  colono  segun  el  niimero  y  edad  de  su  familia.  Esta 
porcion  de  tierras  sera  la  propiedad  plena  y  perfecta  del  colono, 
desde  que  hubiese  satisfecho  el  cargo  que  se  espresa  en  el  arti- 
culo 10°  y  recibira  el  documento  6  escritura  j)ublica  que  legi- 
time su  propiedad. 

Articulo  13° — La  i:)orcion  de  tiera  adjudicada  a  cada  colono, 
sera  medida  y  amojonada.  En  la  poblacion  se  dara  en  propie- 
dad a  cada  familia,  un  solar  de  tierra  con  casa.  Al  colono  sol- 
tero  se  dara  un  solar  en  que  debera  edificar  luego  que  establezca 
su  chacra. 

Articulo  14° — Para  regularizar  la  contabilidad  se  abrira  en  un 
libro  foliado,  cuenta  corriente  a  cada  colono,  padre  de  familia,  ii 
hombre  soltero. 

Articulo  15  ° — Se  formani  igualmente  un  registro,o  padron  en 
que  se  anotara  numerado  el  nombre  de  cada  colono,  su  edad, 
sexo,  estado,  condicion,  y  personas  de  su  dependencia  forman- 
dose  un  cuaderno,  que    se  cousiderara  auexo  al  registro  en  que 


858 

se  archivcD,  bajo  el  mismo  numero  del  registro,  los  certificados 
que  debe  tener  cada  colono,  de  su  nacimiento,  estado,  moralidad, 
profesion,  6  ejercicio  y  de  haber  sido  vacunado. 

Articulo  16° — Se  acompaiiara  a  esteDecreto,  una  copia  de  la 
planta  que  se  ha  levantado  de  la  Colonia,  local  para  una  capilla, 
para  la  habitacion  del  capellan  6  parroco,  y  para  un  cementerio 
publico,  fitera  dela  poblacion. 

Articulo  17" — Se  medira  todoel  terreno  adyacente  a  la  Colo 
nia,  y  se  dividira  en  suertes  de  chacra.  En  lo  futuro  segun  las 
circunstancias,  se  niediran  terreuos  destinados  a  puestos  de 
estancias. 

Articulo  18° — Las  chacras,  6  camj^os  de  labranza,  se  arren- 
daran,  6  venderan  ;\  censo  redimible  al  5  por  100,  a  quien  lo 
solicite,  sea  nacional  6  estrangero,  con  la  obligacion  de  cultivar 
d'ntro  de  un  aiio  de  la  adquisicion. 

Articulo  19° — El  precio  de  cada  suerte  de  chacra  sera  el  de 
ocho  pesos  por  cuerda  cuadrada. 

Articulo  20" — Hallandose  inf  ormado  el  Gobierno  de  que  entre 
los  colonos  no  hay  quien  posea  el  castellano,  para  redactar  en 
este  idioma  la  practica  y  las  actas  de  los  juicios,  se  nombra  para 
Juez  de  Paz  de  la  "  Nueva  Burdeos  "  al  ciudadano  paraguayo 
Luis  Caminos, 

Articulo  21° — Elprovisto  juezdepazde  la  Colonia  traducira 
al  f ranees  el  reglamento  para  jueces  de  paz,  el  estatuto  de  ad- 
ministracion  de  justicia,  y  las  disposiciones  proveidas  en  esta 
fecha  sob  re  el  modo  de  proceder  en  los  juicios,  en  calidad  de 
de  provisorias,  mientras  la  esperiencia  haga  conocer  las  espe- 
cialidades  necesai"*as  en  la  Colonia. 

Articulo  22° — El  juez  de  paz  de  la  Colonia  esta  especialmente 
incumbido  y  encargado  de  hacer  la  policia  de  la  Colonia,  man- 
tener  a  los  coJonos  en  paz,  y  orden,  y  conciliar  6  dirimir  las 
pequenas  contiendas  6  diferencias  ^que  puedau  ocurrir  entre 
ellos. 


359 

Abticulo  23° — Se  nombra  para  proveedor  de  la  Colonia  al 
mismo  Juez  de  Paz,  Ciudadano  Luis  Caminos,  con  las  atiibu- 
ciones,  funciones,  jurisdiccion  y  facultades  que  van  seiialadas 
en  el  reglameuto  de  esta  fecha  para  el  mejor  desempeno  de 
dicho  empleo. 

Articulo  24° — El  Juez  de  Paz  y  Proveedor  de  la  Colonia 
tendra  un  mayordomo,  y  dos  escribientes  contadores. 

Articulo  25° — El  Juez  de  Paz  y  proveedor,  y  los  dependien- 
tes  de  su  despacho,  mencionados  en  el  articulo  anterior,  teu- 
dran  casa  y  asistencia  separadas,  y  los  sueldos  raensuales 
asignados  en  el  reglamento  citado  en  el  articulo  23. 

Articulo  26° — El  Supremo  Gobierno  acordara  alguna  especial 
asiguacion  al  Cura  de  la  Colonia  desde  que  quiera  contraerse  a 
la  enseiianza  de  la  juventud,  6  la  encargara  a  persona  capaz  de 
este  oficio,  con  sueldo  mensual,  mientras  los  colonos  puedan 
costear  este  ramo. 

Articulo  27° — El  Juez  de  lo  Civil  en  1*^  instancia Ciudadano 
Nicolas  Vasquez  pasara  a  la  Colonia  a  hacer  reconocer  a  los 
colonos  al  relatado  Ciudadano  Luis  Caminos  por  tal  juez  de  paz  y 
proveedor,  precediendo  el  juramento  que  ordena  la  ley  i)atria. 

Articulo  28° — Se  guaixlara  con  los  salvages  del  Chaco  la 
armonia  y  buena  correspondencia  que  se  ha  cultivado  hasta 
aqui.  Con  todo,  deseandoel  Gobierno  de  la  Repiiblica  prevenir 
cualquier  insulto  que  a  la  vez  quieran  inteutar  con  los  colonos, 
tendra  la  Colonia  una  guarnicion  fuerte,  de  las  tres  armas,  al 
raando  imnediato  del  Comandante  que  en  esta  fecha  se  ha  nom- 
brado  con  las  ordenas  e  instrucciones  convenientes,  en  inteli- 
gencia  de  que  dichas  fuerzas  se  aumentaran  toda  vez  que  lo 
requiera  la  seguridad  de  la  Colonia. 

Articulo  29° — La  guarnicion  se  relevara  por  tercias  partes 
cada  cuatro  meses  cumplidos.  Los  oficiales  y  plazas  que  no 
puedan  continuar  el  scrvicio,  por  enfei'medad  reconocida,  seran 
relevados  prontamente.  El  Comandante  de  la  guarnicion  no 
sera  relevado  antes  de  un  ano,  salvo  el  caso  indicado  de  enfer- 
medad  u  otra  circumstancia  especial. 


361 

Articulo  30° — Los  sueldos  de  la  guarnicion  de  la  Colonia 
seran  los  mismos  que  gozan  las  tropas  de  los  cuarteles  de  la 
Capital,  pagaderos  cada  dos  meses  en  el  Ministerio  de  Guerra. 

Articulo  31° — Los  militares  que,  cumplidos  sus  turnos, 
quieran  establecerse  en  la  Colonia  gozaran  de  todas  las  concesio- 
nes  que  van  establecidas. 

Articulu  o2° — Se  estaMeceni,  por  ahora,  una  policia  fluvial 
en  el  puerto  de  la  "Nueva  Bnrdeos"  y  cxiando  la  Colonia  se 
ponga  en  estado  de  abrir  su  comercio,  se  habilitara  Capitania 
de  Puerto,  con  el  reglamento  correspondiente. 

Asuxciox,  Mayo  14  de  1855. 

CARLOS  ANTONIO  LOPEZ, 
JOSE  FALCON, 

Secretario  Interino  del  Supremo    Gohierno. 


360 


ANEXO  G. 

Tratado  de  Alianza  Contra  el  Paraguay ,  1865 

TRATADO  DE  ALIANZA. 


El  Gobierno  de  la  Republica  Oriental  del  Uruguay,  el  Go 
bierno  de  S.  M.  el  Emperador  del  Brasil,  y  el  Gobierno  de  la  Re- 
publica Argentina. 

Est  OS  dos  ftltimos  eneontrandose  actualmente  en  guerra  con 
el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay,  por  haber  sido  declaradadehecho  por 
este  Gobierno,  y  el  primero  en  estado  de  hostilidad  y  amena- 
zado  en  su  seguridad  interna  por  dicho  Gobierno,  injuriando  la 
Republica  Tratados  solemnes,  usos  internacionales  de  las 
naciones  civilizadas,  y  cometido  actos  injustificables  despues 
de  haber  perturbado  las  relaciones  con  sus  vecinos  por  los  raas 
abusivos  y  agresivos  proccdimientos. 

Persuadidos  que  la  Paz,  seguridad  y  bienestar  de  sus  respec- 
tivas  naciones,  es  imposible  mientras  exista  el  actual  Gobierno 
del  Paraguay,  y  que  es  de  imperiosa  necesidad  exigida  por  los 
mas  grandes  intereses  que  aquel  Gobierno  desaparezca,  respe- 
tando  la  soberania,  independencia  e  integridad  territorial  de  la 
Repdblica  del  Paraguay. 

Han  resuelto  con  ese  objeto,  celebrar  un  tratado  de  Alianza 
ofensiva  y  defensiva  ;  y  al  efecto  ban  norabrado  sus  plenipo- 
tenciarios,  a  saber  ;  S.  E.  el  Gobernador  Provisoiio  de  la  Re- 
pfiblica  Oriental,  a  S.  E.  el  Dr.Don  Carlos  Castro,  ]\Iinistro  de  Re- 
laciones Esteriores.  S.  M.  el  Emperador  del  Brasil  a  S.  E.  el  Dr. 
Don  Octaviano  Almeida  Rosa,  su  Consejero  Diputado  a  la  A. 
G.  L.  y  Oficial  de  la  Orden  Imperial  de  la  Rosa  ;  S.  E.  el 
Presidente  de  la  Repfiblica  Argentina  a  S.  E.  el  Dr.Don  Rufino 
de  Elizalde,  su  Ministro  Secretano  de  Relaciones  Esteriores. 
Quienes  habiendo  cangeado  sus  respectivas  credenciales  que  en 
contraron  en  buena  y  debida  forma,  convinieron  en  lo  siguiente  : 


362 

Articulo  1°. 

La  Republica  Oriental  del  Uraguay,  Su  Magestad  el  Ern- 
pei-ador  del  Brasil  y  la  Repiiblica  Argentina  se  unen  en  alianza 
ofensiva  y  defensiva  en  la  guerra  provocada  por  el  Gobierno 
del  Paraguay. 

Aeticulo  2°. 

Los  aliados  concurriran  con  todos  los  medios  de  que  puedan 
disponer  por  tierra  6  por  los  rios,  segun  lo  crean  conveniente. 

Articulo  3°. 

Las  operacioues  de  la  guerra,  principiando  en  el  territorio  de 
la  Repiiblica  Argentina,  6  en  parte  del  territorio  Paraguayo 
lindando  con  la  misma,  el  iiiando  en  gefe  y  la  direccion  de  las 
arraas  aliadas  permanecera  confiada  al  Presidente  de  la  Repii- 
blica Argentina,  General  en  Gefe  de  su  ejercito,  Brigadier-Ge- 
neral Don  Barlolome  Mitre. 

Las  fuerzas  maritimas  de  los  Aliados  estanin  bajo  el  in- 
niediato  niando  del  Vice  Almirante,  Vizconde  de  Tamandare, 
Coraandante  en  Gefe  de  la  Escuadra  de  S.  M.  el  Emperador 
del  Brasil. 

Las  fuerzas  de  tierra  de  la  Repiiblica  Oriental  del  L'ruguay, 
una  division  de  las  fuerzas  argentinas  y  otra  de  las  brasileras, 
que  seran  designadas  por  sus  respectivos  gefes  superiores, 
forniaran  un  ejercito  a  las  ordenes  inmediatas  del  Gobernador 
Provisorio  de  la  Repiiblica  Oriental  del  Uruguay,  Brigadier 
General  Don  Venancio  Flores. 

Las  fuerzas  terrestres  se  S.  M.  el  Emperador  del  Brasil 
forraaran  un  ejercito  a  las  ordenes  iiumediatas  de  su  General 
Gefe  Brigadier  D.  Manuel  Luis  Ozorio. 

Sin  embargo  de  que  las  Altas  Partes  Contratantes  estan  con- 
formes  en  no  cambiar  el  teatro  de  las  operaciones  de  guerra, 
con  todo,  a  fin  de  conservar  los  derechos  soberanos  de  las  tres 
naciones,  ellas  convienen,  desde  ahora,  en  observar  el  principio 
de  reciprocidad  respecto  del  man  do  en  Gefe  para  el  caso  de 
que  esas  operaciones  hubiesen  que  pasar  al  territorio  Oriental 
6  brasilero. 


363 

Articulo  4". 

El  orden  interior  y  la  economia  de  las  tropas  aliadas,  quedan 
al  cargo  esclusivo  de  sus  respectivos  Gefes. 

Articulo  5". 

Las  Altas  Partes  Contratantes  se  facilitaran  mCituamente 
todos  los  auxilios  6  elementos  que  teugan  y  los  otros  nt-cesiten, 
en  la  forma  que  se  acuerde. 

Articulo  6°. 

Los  Aliados  se  obligan  solemnemente  a  no  deponer  las  armas 
sino  de  comun  acuerdo,  y  mientras  no  liayan  derrocado  al 
Gobierno  actual  del  Paraguay,  asi  conio  a  no  tratar  separada- 
mente,  ni  firmar  ningun  tratado  de  paz,  tregua,  armisticio  o 
convencion  cualquiera  que  ponga  termino  a  la  guerra,  sino, 
por  perfecta  conformidad  de  todos. 

Articulo  7°. 

No  siendo  la  guerra  contra  el  Pueblo  del  Paraguay,  sino  con- 
tra su  Gobierno,  los  aliados  podran  adraitir  en  una  Legion  Pa- 
raguaya  todos  los  Ciudadanos  de  esa  Xacion  que  quieran  con- 
currir  al  derrocaraiento  de  dicho  Gobierno,  y  les  proporcionaran 
los  eleraentos  que  necesiten  en  la  forma  y  condiciones  que  se 
convengan. 

Articulo  8°. 

Los  Aliados  se  obligan  a  respetar  la^independencia,  soberania 
e  integridad  territorial  de  la  Republica  del  Paraguay.  En  con- 
secuencia  el  Pueblo  Paraguayo  podra  elegir  el  Gobierno  y  las 
instituciones  que  les  convengan,  no  incorporandose  ni  pidiendo 
el  protectorado  de][ninguno  de  los  aliados,  como  resultado  de  la 
guerra. 

Articulo  9°. 

La  independencia,  Soberania  e  integridad  territorial  de  la  Re- 
p<iblica  del  Paraguay,  seran  garantidas  [colectivaraente,  de  con- 


364 

formidad  con  el  articulo  precedente,  por  las  Altas  Partes  Con- 
tratantes,  por  el  termino  de  cinco  anos. 

Articulo  10". 

Queda  convenido  entre  las  Altas  Partas  Contratantes  que  las 
exenciones,  privilegios  6  concesiones  que  obtengan  del  Gobierno 
del  Paraguay,  seran  comunes  a  tod  is  ellas  gratuitamente,  si 
fueren  gratuitas,  y  con  la  misma  compensacion,  si  fueren  con- 
dicionales. 

Articulo  11°. 

Derrocado  que  sea  el  actual  Gobierno  del  Paraguay,  los  alia- 
dos  procederan  a  hacer  los  arreglos  necesarios  con  la  autoridad 
constituida,  para  asegurar  la  libre  navegacionde  los  rios  Parana 
y  Paraguay,  de  raanera  que  los  reglamentos  6  leyes  de  aquella 
Repablica  no  obsten,  impidan  6  graven  el  transito  y  navegacion 
din^cta  de  los  buques  mercantes  y  de  guerra  de  los  Estados 
Aliados  que  se  dirijan  a  su  territorio  respectivo  6  aterritorioque 
no  pertenezca  al  Paraguay,  y  tomaran  las  garantias  convenien- 
tes  para  la  efectividad  do  dichos  arreglos,  bajo  la  base  de  que 
esos  reglamentos  de  policia  fluvial,  bien  sean  para  los  dichos 
dos  rios  6  tambien  para  el  Uruguay,  se  dictaran  de  comun 
acuerdo  entre  los  aliados  y  cualesquiera  otros  Estados  riberenos 
que  dentro  del  termino  que  se  convengan  por  los  aliados, 
acv.'pten  la  invilacion  que  se  les  haga. 

Articulo  12°. 

Los  Aliados  se  reservan  el  concertar  los  medios  mas  convenien- 
tes  a  fin  de  garantir  la  paz  con  la  Reptiblica  del  Paraguay 
despues  del  derrocamiento  de  su  actual  Gobierno. 

Articulo  13°. 

Los  Aliados  nombraran  oportunamente  los  Plenipotenciarios 
que  ban  de  celebrar  los  arreglos,  convenciones  6  tratados  a  que 
hubiese  lugar,  con  el  Gobierno  que  se  establezca  en  el  Para- 
guay. 


365 

Akticulo  14°. 

Los  Aliados  exigiran  de  aquel  Gobierno  el  pago  de  los  gastos 
de  la  guerra  que  se  han  visto  obligados  a  aceptar,  asi  como  la 
reparacion  e  indemnizacion  de  los  dafios  y  perjuicios  causados 
a  sus  propiedadtes  p^blicas  y  particulares,  y  a  las  personas  de 
sus  ciudadanos,  sin  expresa  declaracion  de  guerra,  y  por  los 
danos  y  perjuicios  causados  subsiguienteraente  en  violacion  de 
los  principios  que  gobiernan  las  leyes  de  la  guerra. 

La  Republica  Oriental  del  Uurguay  exigira  tambien  una  in- 
demnizacion proporcionada  a  los  daiios  y  perjuicios  que  le  ha 
causado  el  Gobierno  del  Paraguay,  por  la  guerra  a  que  lo  ha 
forzado  a  entrar,  en  defensa  de  su  seguridad  amenazada  por 
aquel  Gobierno. 

Articulo  15°. 

En  una  Convencion  especial  se  determinara  el  modo  y  forma 
para  la  liquidacion  y  pago  de  la  deuda  procedente  de  las  causas 
antedichas. 

Articulo  16°. 

A  fin  de  evitar  las  discusiones  y  guerras  que  las  cuestiones  de 
limites  envuelvan,  queda  establecido  que  los  Aliados  exigiran 
del  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  que  celebi-e  tratados  definitivos  de 
limites  con  los  respectivos  Gobiernos,  bajo  las  siguientes  bases  : 

La  Republica  Ai'gentina  quedara  dividida  de  la  Republica  del 
Paraguay  por  los  rios  Parana  y  Paraguay,  hasta  encontrar  los 
limites  del  Imperio  del  Brasil,  siendo  estos,  en  la  Ribera  derecha 
del  Rio  Paraguay,  la  Bahia  Negra. 

El  Imperio  del  Brasil  quedara  dividido  de  la  Repliblica  del 
Paraguay,  en  la  parte  del  Parana,  por  el  primer  Rio  despues  del 
Salto  de  las  Siete  caidas,  que  segun  el  reciente  mapa  de  Mouchez, 
es  el  Igurey,  y  desde  la  boca  del  Igurey  y  su  curso  superior 
hasta  Uegar  a  su  nacimiento. 

En  la  parte  de  la  ribera  izquierda  del  Paraguay  por  el  Rio 
Apa  desde  su  embocadura  hasta  su  nacimiento. 

En  el  interior,  desde  la  cumbre  de  la  Sierra  de  Maracayd,  las 
vertientes  del  Este  perteneciendo  al  Brasil,  y  las  del  Oeste  al 
Paraguay,  y  tirando  lineas  tan  rectas  como  se  pueda  de  dicha 
tierra  al  nacimiento  del  Apa  y  del  Igurey. 


366 

Akticulo  11°. 

Los  Aliados  se  garanten  reciprocamente  el  fiel  cximplimiento 
de  los  acuerdos,  arreglos  y  tratados  que  hay  an  de  celebrarse 
con  el  Gobiemo  que  se  establecera  en  el  Paraguay,  en  virtud  de 
lo  convenido  en  el  presente  tratado  de  Alianza.  el  que  perma- 
necera  siempre  en  plena  fuerza  y  vigor  al  efecto  de  que  estas 
estipulaciones  sean  respetadas  y  cumplidas  por  la  Republica 
del  Paraguay. 

A  fin  de  tener  este  resultado,  ellas  convienen  en  que,  en  caso 
de  que  una  de  las  Altas  Partes  Contratantes  no  pudiese  obtener 
del  Gobierno  del  Paraguay  el  cumplimiento  de  lo  acordado,  6 
de  que  este  Gobierno  intentase  anular  las  estipulaciones  ajus- 
tadas  <von  los  Aliados,  las  otras  emplearan  activaraente  sus 
esfuerzos  para  que  sean  respetadas. 

Si  estos  esfuerzos  fuesen  inutiles,  los  Aliados  concurriran,  con 
todos  sus  medios,  a  fin  de  hacer  efectiva  la  ejecucion  de  lo 
estipulado. 

Articulo  18°. 

Este  tratado  quedara  secreto  hasta  que  el  objeto  principal  de 
la  aliauza  se  haya  obtenido. 

Articulo  19°. 

Las  estipulaciones  de  este  Tratado  que  no  requieran  autoriza- 
cion  legislativa  para  su  ratificacion,  empezaran  a  tener  efecto 
tan  pronto  como  sean  aprobadas  por  los  respectivos  Gobiernos, 
y  las  otras  desde  el  cambo  de  las  ratificaciones,  que  tendra  lugar 
dentro  del  termino  de  cuarenta  dias  contados  desde  la  fecha  de 
dicho  Tratado,  6  antes  si  fuere  posible. 

En  testimonio  de  lo  cual,  los  abajo  firmados  Plenipoten- 
ciarios  de  S.  E.  el  Presidente  de  la  Republica  Argentina,  de  S. 
M.  ol  Emperadnr  del  Brasil,  y  de  S,  E.  el  Gobierno  Provisorio 
de  la  Republica  Oriental  del  Uruguay,  en  virtud  de  nuestros 
plenos  poderes,  firmamos  este  Tratado  y  le  hacemos  poner  nues- 
tros sellos  en  la  Ciudad  de  Buenos  Aires,  el  1°  de  Mayo  del 
ano  de  Nuestro  Senor  1865. 

cIrLOS  de  CASTRO, 

J.  OCTAVIANO   DE  ALMEIDA  ROSA, 

RUFINO  DE  ELIZALDE. 


367 

Protocolo. 

S,  S.  E.  E.  los  Plenipotenciarios  de  la  Republica  Argentina, 
de  la  Republica  Oriental  del  Uruguay  y  de  S.  M.  el  Emperador 
del  Brasil,  hallandose  reunidos  en  el  Despacho  de  Negocios 
Estrangeros,  ban  acordado. 

1° — Que  en  el  cumplimiento  del  Tratado  de  Alianza  de  esta 
fecha,  las  fortificaciones  de  Humaita  seran  deniolidas,  y  no  sera 
permitido  erigir  otras  de  igual  naturaleza  que  puedan  impedirla 
fiel  ejecucion  de  dicha  tratado. 

2° — Que  siendo  una  de  las  medidas  necesarias  para  garantir 
la  paz  con  el  Gobierno  que  se  establecera  en  el  Paraguay,  el  no 
dejar  alii  armas  6  elementos  de  guerra,  los  que  se  encuentren 
seran  divididos  por  partes  iguales  entre  los  alindos. 

3° — Que  los  trofeos  y  botin  que  se  tomen  al  enimigo  seran 
divididos  entre  los  Aliados  que  hagan  la  captura. 

4° — Que  los  Gefes  de  los  Ejercitos  Aliados  concertaran  las 
medidas  para  llevar  a  efecto  lo  aqui  acordado. 

Y  firmaron  este  Protocolo  en  Buenos  Aires  el  1°  de  Mayo  de 
1868. 

CIRLOS  de  CASTRO, 

J.  OCTAVIANO  DE  ALMEIDA  ROSA, 

RUFINO  DE  ELIZALDE. 


INDEX. 


Appendix,  Page. 

Note  of  the  Paraguayan  Secretary  of  State  to  the  Argentine  Minister : 

English  translation 5 

Original  Spanish 191 

Note  of  the  Secretary  of  State  of  the  Argentine  Republic  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  State  of  Paraguay : 

English  translation     7 

Original  Spanish 193 

Reply  to  the  foregoing  note  : 

English  translation 9 

Original  Spanish   1 94 

Contra  memorandum  on  the  question  of  limits  between  the  Republic  of 
Paraguay  and  the  Argentine  Republic,  made  by  the  Secretary  of 
State  of  Paraguay : 

English  translation 10 

Original  Spanish 196 

Exhibits. 

Exhibit  A,  2^0.  1. — Treaty  of  limits  between  the  Republic  of  Paraguay 
and  the  Argentine  Republic,  of  February  3,  1876  : 

In  English 53 

In  Spanish 235 

Exhibit  A,  No.  2. — Letter  of  the  President  of  Paraguay  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States : 

In  English 59 

In  Spanish 241 

Reply  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  : 

In  English 60 

In  Spanish 243 

E^xhibit  B. — Note  of  the  Secretary  of  State  of  Paraguay  to  the  Italian 
3Iinister  there: 

In  English 61 

In  Spanish 245 


Reply  to  above : 

In  English 61 

In  Spanish , 245 

Exhibit  C,  No.  1. — Royal  ordinance  causing  the  Province  of  Paraguay 
and  the  Provinces  of  the  La  Plata  River  to  be  consolidated  in  one 
Government,  1662: 

In  English 63 

In  Spanish 24*7 

Exhibit  C,  JVo.  2. — Letter  of  the  Governor  of  Paraguay  asking  for  Mis- 
sionaries to  be  employed  at  the  Timbo  reduccion,  in  El  Chaco  : 

In  English , 66 

In  Spanish 250 

Exhibit  C,  No.  3. — Reply  to  above  : 

In  English , 68 

In  SjDanish 252 

Exhibit  C,  No-  4. — Act  of  Incorporation  in  the  dominions  of  the  King  of 
Spain  of  the  reducciones  settled  at  El  Chaco,  by  the  Governor  of 
Paraguay,  Don  Jose  Martinez  Pontes,  1*763: 

In  English 10 

In  Spanish 254 

Exhibit  C,  No.  5. — Letter  of  the  Governor  of  Paraguay  asking  for  a  priest 
for  the  El  Rosario  reduccion  at  El  Chaco : 

In  English 72 

In  Spanish 256 

Exhibit  C,  No.  6. — Royal  ordinance  on  certain  measures  to  be  taken  at 
El  Chaco  by  the  Governor  of  Paraguay : 

In  English 74 

In  Spanish 258 

Exhibit  C,  No.  7. — Royal  ordinance  providing  for  the  support  of  the 
Ubaya  and  Abipone  reducciones  in  El  Chaco,  to  be  attended  by  the 
Governor  of  Paraguay : 

In  English •. 77 

In  Spanish 260 

Exhibit  O,  No.  8. — Royal  ordinance  instructing  the  Governor  of  Para- 
guay how  he  ought  to  treat  the  Indians  of  the  Timho  reduccion  : 

In  English 78 

In  Spanish 261 

Exhibit  C,  No.  9. — Proceedings  of  a  meeting  at  La  Asuncion  to  support 
the  Timbo  reduccion  at  El  Chaco  : 

In  English 80 

In  Spanish 26ii 


Ul 

Exkihit  C,  No.  10. — Meeting  to  the  same  effect: 

In  English 85 

In  Spanish 207 

Exhibit  C,  No.  11. — Meeting-  to  tlie  same  efftct : 

In  English 81 

In  Spanish 209 

Exhibit  C,  No.  12. — Proceedings  of  a  meeting  at  La  Asuncion  to  estab- 
lish the  Reniolinos  7-educciou  at  El  Cliaco  : 

In  English 89 

In  Spanish .        270 

Exhibit  C,  No.  13. — Meeting  for  the  es'ablishmeat  of  a  new  redaccion  at 
the  same  place : 

In  English 94 

In  Spanish   27o 

Exhibit  C,  No.  14. — Foundation  of  the  San  Franciseo  Solano  reduccion, 
in  El  Chaco: 

In  English   97 

In  Spanish   278 

Exhibit  C,  No.  1.5. — Letter  of  the    priest  in  charge  of  the  above  redac- 
cion to  the  Governor  of  Paraguay ; 

In  English 98 

In  Spanish 279 

Exhibit  C,  No.  10. — Order  of  the  Governor  of  Paraguay  in  relation  to 
same  reduaion  : 

In  English 99 

In  Spanish 280 

Exhibit  C,  No.  17. — Another  letter  of  the  same  Governor  : 

In  English 100 

In  Spanish 281 

Exhibit  C,  No.  18. — Letter  of  the  Priest  in   charge  of  the  rcdnccion  to 
the  Governor  of  Paraguay  .• 

In  English 101 

In  Spanish 282 

Exhibit  C,  No,  19. — Letter  of  Don  Jose  Pastor  Torres  to  the  Governor 
of  Paraguay: 

In  English 102 

In  Spanish 283 

Exhibit  C,  No.  20. — Proceedings  of  a  meeting  to  found  anew  reduccion 
at  El  Chaco : 

In  English 104 

In  Spanish 285 


IT 

Exhibit  C,  No.  21. — Action   of    the   Governor   of    Paraguay    on    the 
above  meeting : 

In  English • 106 

In  Sjianish 287 

Exhibit  C,  No.  22. — Foundation    of  the   Melodia   rednccion  by  a  Para- 
guayan priest : 

In  English   ]  0*7 

In  SjDanish 289 

Exhibit  C,  No.  28. — Letter  of  the  Governor  of  Buenos  Ayres  to  Father 
Gonzalez  Escobar  : 

In  English 108 

In  Spanish 290 

Exhibit  C,  No.  24. — Letter  of  the  officer  couimanding  Fort  Borbon  to 
the  Governor  of  Paraguay  : 

In  English 109 

In  Spanish ■ 291 

Exhibit  C,  No.  25. — Letter  of  same  to  same. 

In  English 110 

In  Spanish 292 

Exhibit   C,   No.    26. — Letter    of    the  Officer  commanding  Fort   Santa 
Elena,  to  Dictator  Francia  : 

In  English Ill 

In  Spanish 293 

ilxhibit  C,  No.  21. — Order  of  Dictator  Francia: 

In  English 112 

In  Spanish 294 

Exhibit  0,  No.  28.— Order  of  Dictator  Francia: 

In  Enolisii 113 

In  Spanish .' 295 

Exhibit  C,  No.  29. — Report  of  the  Officer  commanding  Fort  Orange ; 

In  English 114 

In  Spanish 296 

Exhibit  C,  No.  30. — Report  of  tlie  same  Officer: 

In  English 115 

In  Spanish... 29*7 

Exhibit  0,  No.  31. — Report  of  the  Officer  commanding  Fort  Formosa: 

InEnglish 116 

In  Spanish.  . ;. . 298 

Exhibit  0,  No.  32. — Order  of  Dictator  Francia : 

InEnglish   117 

In  Spanish 299 


y- 

Exhihil  C,  No.  33. — Letter  of  the  Officer  commanding  the   Remolinoa 
reduccion :     ' 

In  English 118 

In  Spanish 300 

Exhibit  C.  No.  34. — Letter  of  same  to  same  : 

In  English 120 

In  Spanish 302 

Exhibit  C,  No.  3o. — Letter  of  the  Governor  of  Paraguay  to  the  Officer 
commanding  at  Remolinos : 

In  English 122 

In  Spanish 304 

Exhibit  C,  3^0.36. — Letter  of  the  Viceroy  of  Buenos  Ayres  to  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Paraguay  : 

In  English.^ 123 

In  Spanish 305 

Exhibit  C,  No.  37. — Letter  of  same  to  same: 

In  English 124 

In  Spanish 306 

Exhibit  C,  No.  38. — Letter  of  same  to  same : 

In  English 126 

In  Spanish 307 

Exhibit  C,  No.  89. — Letter  of  same  to  same : 

InEnglish 126 

In  Spanish   308 

Exhibit  C,  No.  40. — Letter  of  same  to  same  : 

In  English 127 

In  Spanish 309 

Exhibit  C,  No.  41. — Commission  of  Governor  Melo  de  Portugal : 

InEnglish   128 

In  Spanisli 310 

Exhibit  C,  No.  42. — Order  of  the  Supreme  Government  of  Paraguay : 

InEnglish 131 

In  Spanish 312 

Exhibit  C,  Nos.  43,  44,  45  and  46. — Returns  of  the  above  order: 

In  English 132  to  135 

In  Spanish 313  to  316 

Exhibit  C,  No.  47.— Treaty  of  October   12th,   1871,  between   Paraguay 
and  P.uenos  Byres : 

InEnglish 136 

In  Spanish 317 


VI 

Exhibit  <1,  No.  48. — Royal  Ordinance  on  the  limits  of  certain  ecclesias- 
tical districts: 

In  Enf^lish 139 

In  Spanish 320 

Exhibit  D,  No.  1. — Interrogatories  propounded  to  certain  witnesses  by 
the  Solicitor  f'eneral  of  the  City  of  La  Asuncion: 

lu  English 141 

In  Spanish 321 

Exhibit  D,  No.  2.--An^\ver  to  the  above  by  Rev.  Father  Canete: 

In  English 148 

In  Spanish 328 

Exhibil  D,  No.  3. — Answer  to  the  same  by  Rev.  Father  Agners: 

In  English 152 

In  Spanish 332 

Exhibit  D,  No.  4. — Do.  by  Father  Ibanez: 

In  English 154 

In  Spanish 334 

Exhibit  D,  No.  5. — Answer  to  the  same  by  the  Ecclesiastic  Cliapter  of 
La  Asuncion: 

In  English 156 

In  Spanish 33§ 

Exhibit  E,  No.  1. — Treaty  of  limits,  (fee,  between  Paraguay  and  the 
Argentine  7?epublic,  of  1852: 

In  English 163 

In  Spanish 343 

Exchange  and  ratification  thereof,  and  correspondence  relative  to  the 
same  : 

In  English 166  to  173 

In  Spanish 347  to  354 

Exhibit  F. — Decree  for  the  foundation  of  the  colony  of  Nuevo  Burdeos: 

In  English 174 

In  Spanish , 355 

Exhibit  G. — Treaty  of  alliance  between  l5razil,  the  Argentine  Republic, 
and  Uruguay,  against  the  Government  of  Marshal  Lopez  in  Para- 
guay, 1865 : 

'  In  English 179 

In  Spanish 360 

Protocol  of  May  1st,  1865 : 

In  English 185 

In  Spanish 367 


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